Whiskynerds Caol ila 10 Years 57.5% 2011

SERGE VALENTIN (87)

Colour: deep gold. Nose: flinty, earthy and gamey in profile. Lots of impressions of gun metal, toolbox rags, copper coins, natural tar and wee animalistic aspects. I'm very much a fan of this style. Also rather a lot of soot, peppery peat smoke and charcoal embers. With water: a little sweeter now with some treacle, cough syrups and menthol tobacco notes. Mouth: natural tar, black pepper, cured game meats, frying pancetta and smoked red chilli. Modern style and very good. With water: gets more resinous, more salty and earthier. A slightly dirty smokiness, black olives in brine, tarry rope and camphor. Finish: long, tarry, earthy, salty and full of salted liquorice and anchovy paste. Comments: modern sherry and modern peat that tango well together. Another excellent one.