Vintage Whisky is an Israeli Importer of whisky & Rum, owned by two members of a local FB drinks group I am the co-admin and co-own. They are importing Asta Morris, Cadenhead’s and recently even parralel import Ardbeg to the holy land. This is their first ever IB intended for the local market, The inaugural release is of Caol Ila 2006 from a refill hogshead.
Caol Ila 13 yo 2006 55,6%, Vintage-Whisky cask #302307 , 499 ILS
Nose: A very typical young-ish CI, this one with a lot of peaty and coastal goodness: with a nice woodfire smoke, smoky lemons, vanilla, and some iodine, see-breeze, and mint leaf, pear, and banana peel, and a whiff of pepper. After some time it becomes a bit ‘dirtier’ with old engine oil, and a touch of aniseed.
Palate: Big entry with salt and pepper mixed, more of the wood and peat embers, quite spicy, but also fruity with baked apple, more Iodine, hessian and lemons, seaweed, TCP. The vanilla and barley sugars are hidden behind all this and add complexity and balance.
Finish: Quite long with ash, minerality, soot and salt, bitter lemon/grapefruit pith, and wood char.
Conclusion: A very enjoyable middle of the way Caol Ila. If you’re a fan of Islay peat, this one’s a safe bet for you. Good strength and a nice depth of flavors. Nothing we have not seen elsewhere, but still – Lovely addition to a very limited local IB range. Had it been a bit cheaper this would be a no-brainer of a buy.
Score: 87/100
Keep them Coming, Yves & Shai.