Tasting Notes

Producing WhiskyCast has given me the opportunity to taste some really amazing whiskies, and I’m pleased to share my tasting notes with you here. You can search my entire database of tasting notes from this page, and I hope you’ll find it useful.

Caol Ila 12 2021 Fèis Ìle Bottling

Caol Ila 12 2021 Fèis Ìle bottling. Image courtesy Diageo.

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Type: Single Malt

Bottler: Distiller

ABV: 56.6%

Score: 93 Points

The 2021 Islay Festival release from Caol Ila started out in refill American Oak casks and was finished in Moscatel wine casks. The nose has the classic Islay smokiness along with dried fruits, a touch of brandy, plums, figs, dried flowers, and honey. The taste has a unique balance of peat smoke, pepperiness, and fruits with touches of heather and honey underneath. The finish is long with lingering spices, fruitiness, and a kiss of peat smoke. Excellent! (August, 2021)

Special thanks to Matt Lurin and the Water of Life Festival for making this sample available.