Caol Ila 11 Year Cask Strength Gordon & MacPhail Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Damp and musty to start, along with relatively strong peat smoke; hints of wood smoke are mixed in, too. Behind the smoke, there are sweet scents of light fruit - oranges, mango, sweet lemon. Vanilla adds to the lighter character, even bridging into icing sugar territory. With time, floral perfume and mineral accents come out.

Palate: Great texture, rich and rounded, and the mouthfeel is medium-thick. We start with wax, perfume, and sweet honey flavors; the peat smoke is relatively strong and ashy, adding a sharp side. Dry oak and some tannins amplify that dry character, but we also find vanilla and moldy citrus to add balance. It's velvety, and there's a nice weight to the spirit.

Finish: Musty peat smoke remains quite strong into the finish. Vanilla continues from the nose and palate, and that tropical mango that we found earlier reappears in the aftertaste. Pepper and tannins add a kick, and there's a fizzy sensation at times... it's a medium-long finish.