Code
Distillery
Caol Ila
Name
Truly A Gem!
Producer
SMWS
Region
Islay
Age
9 years
ABV
56.8%
Bottler Type
Independent
Category
Scotch
Flavor Profile
Peated
The whisky presents a briny, aromatic profile reminiscent of grilled sardines with garlic, olive oil, fresh coriander, and paprika, accented by sea salt, pepper, and bright lemon zest.
On the palate, this cask delivers maritime and savory characteristics akin to Spanish braised octopus in sweet paprika sauce with olives and manzanilla sherry notes, while the addition of water introduces a rich, creamy texture balanced by sweet smoke and umami undertones of miso soup with smoked tofu.
The finish evokes the warmth of a bonfire on an Islay beach—a rounded, well-integrated conclusion that reflects seven years of maturation in ex-bourbon hogshead followed by first fill American oak oloroso cask influence, creating a complex and memorable conclusion.
Imagine grilled sardines slathered with garlic, olive oil, chopped fresh coriander, paprika, sea salt and pepper, plus lemon juice and zest. On the palate we stayed with a maritime dish, this time, Spanish braised octopus in a sweet paprika sauce served with olives and a glass of manzanilla sherry. Water added a rich creamy note wonderfully balanced by the sweet smoke of a miso soup with crispy smoked tofu. To taste, we sat around a bonfire on the beach by the Sound of Islay with plenty of friends on a warm sunny evening – truly a gem! Following seven years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a first fill American oak oloroso hogshead.