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90

Score

Caol Ila 30 year old (Diageo Special Release 2014), 55.1%

Price: 700 Issue: Winter 2014 Reviewer: Dave Broom Category: Single Malt Scotch

More smoke than is common from this distillery and age. The aromas are food-related: initially roast ham with caramelized sugars, then a clambake, then oven-roasted lobster. With water, a distinct whiff of the goat shed (nice, by the way). The palate is refined and mature, but with fresh fruits retained, with oak and smoke beautifully integrated. A mature Caol Ila in similar vein to the excellent (and significantly more keenly priced) 25 year old. (7,638 bottles)