Nose: gorgeous earthy peat, charcoal, crispy dried leaves. That moves towards more-maritime notes of fishing nets and dried seaweed. In fact, it becomes a stay in a shed on the shore of a sea loch on a drizzly day. The drizzle and the humid salty air blend to stick to one's stubbles and provide a perma-salty tang. In that shed, we find a case of old copper coins and a derelict deep-sea-diving suit. The second nose goes to the boiler room -- not that of an old ship, but that of a house, warm, comforting, with a thin humidity over enamelled metal. Mouth: surprisingly mellow, creamy and honey-like in texture, and on the sweet side. Chewing brings back a soft maritime touch, and it is even more surprising to find ourselves tasting a spoonful of custard augmented with a drop of sea water. More chewing adds cigar smoke and ashes. The second sip has noticeable sea water warmed on the fire and embellished with a dollop of minty toothpaste. That is hardly detectable, yet it adds an air of freshness. Finish: rich and peaty without being boisterous. Cake crust, baked pottery clay, cigar leaves, and, still, that custard-y sweetness. Warming, not burning, it appears to have dried off most sea water and lost its salt, somehow. A smoky sweetness lingers, borderline acrid. Only several minutes later do we unearth a pinch of fine salt. The second gulp brings forth a certain freshness reminiscent of distant mint. Perhaps it is long-expired mint crumbles that have lost their potency. Retro-nasal olfaction revives the cigar smoke and cigar leaves, dry at first, then increasingly moist. Nice.
Caol Ila 13yo (43%, Gordon & MacPhail Discovery, Bourbon Cask) 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, Whisky-Online)
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