Two Indies from Denmark–Caol Ila 7 yo and Highland Park 1997

A few weeks ago as I was browsing through photos of whisky, cigars and food on Instagram (seems all my friends are either drinking, smoking or eating) I noticed an interesting image of 4 wee samples bottles filled with a hot sauce:

I was intrigued, and said I wanted to taste one. The internet is filled with nice people, and the creator of this sauce a jolly good fella from Denmark (thank you Steffen!, not Steffen Brauner…) offered to send me a sample of the sauce and on top of that two extra whisky samples. Brilliant! I accepted of course, and offered to send some samples in return (which I did, hope he liked them). It turned out the samples are both from a local Danish Indie bottler by the name of P.G Jensen & Sons for the members of The Whisky Cellar. Interesting. I sat down and tried both and here are my thoughts:

The Highland Park 1997 [P.G Jensen & Sons ], 55.2%, bottled 2013, 288 btls

Nose: a rather surprising nose for a highland park : zingy and peppery. Malty and savoury. Damp wood and a slight heathery note.

Palate: quite spicy and rough lots of pepper and alcohol bite. Getting more malty and creamy with time. Big sugar and hints of dough.

Finish: malty. Peppery. Spiced wood. Creamier.

A very interesting HP indeed, spicy and zingy with a bit of peat and lots of pepper, but at the same time creamy.

Score: 86/100

The second dram i was about to try was a young 7 year old Coal Ila, which has been finished for 4 months in Port barrel , which is something I’ve not had in some time. Port and peat can go very well together, and young Coal Ila is always a treat for peat loving guys.

Caol Ila, 7 yo, Port cask finished , 63.8%

Nose: Sweet wood smoke. Ash and lemon. Sweet ripe Red fruit, salt, sea breeze. Slight cured bacon notes. Pepper Nd quite some alcohol bite and pine.

Palates: Wham! This is big  bold and peaty. Hot cinnamon and pepper on entry. The. Getting peatier and smokier. Lots of sweet wood smoke. BBQ pork in sweet marinade. Sweet red wine. Tannins. Sugar. Salt.

Finish: Very long. Peaty. Tons of wood smoke and mocha with burnt toasted bread.

What an Utter cracker this one is. The port and peat work so well together here, and the finish makes the whisky loose its youngish new make fruity aromas you’d expect from a 7 year old CI. This is splendid stuff. I was not expecting it. Want a bottle! I’m rating a 7 year old Coal Ila a 90. yes!

Score: 90/100

Many thanks to Steffen S, for sending the stuff on to of the hot sauce (which by the way is Superb!)