Chorlton Caol Ila 18yo

Another welcome re-visit! I’ve bottled lots of Caol Ilas through the years (for good reason!) and this one’s a little bit different.
The nose is light and lively, with fabulous lime leaves, smoked butter and almonds, coal tar, old emulsion pots, frangipane and honeysuckle. The palate has an elegant arrival, with soft limey and honeyed smoke. It develops on smoked apricot, tiger balm and oyster brine, before a lingering finish with more lime, coal smoke, a single liquorice drop and jasmine tea.
This is amazingly drinkable stuff (my glass has magically emptied several times…) with some of the nuances you usually find in much older Caol Ila, plus a citrussy and floral edge that feels appropriately summery.
This hogshead produced 276 bottles at a cask strength of 50.7%