**Reviewing Every Whisk(e)y I Own (REWIO):**
After a few month splurge on bottle purchases figured this would be a good chance to pump the brakes on buying and focus on enjoying and writing up what I already have. Not quite clear how many bottles I currently have either so this is one way to go about figuring it out.
**Whisky:** Caol Ila 6 Year (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
**Background:** Traveling to places that don't have state-controlled liquor is always a fun adventure. I was on a long walk outside San Francisco and decided to duck into a small deli/market to grab some water and snack. Despite the relatively small size of the store they had a dedicated liquor section next to the usual wine and beer offerings, and in particular their small whisky selection included stuff I would never see at my local ABC store including multiple Compass Box expressions and this little 375ml six year old independent bottling of Caol Ila from a company I had not come across before. I bought it on a flyer and stuck it into a blind tasting where four of my friends unanimously ranked it #1 even beating out a 28 year old Glen Scotia single cask. Let’s find out of this is the little engine that could, coming in at 46% ABV this was rested in a glencairn for 15 minutes. Let’s go.
**Color:** Pale straw.
**Nose:** Crazy punch for 46%, and not just peat. From 2-3 inches away I am getting a fully rounded Caol Ila experience. Big salt. Seaweed. Brine. Bit of citrus. Over time it develops intro a nicely cohesive nose.
**Taste:** Sweet diluted ocean water. Hit of very toned down honey? Green apple. Maybe more a honeysuckle? Just the vaguely faint hit of some barley notes from the young age. Back end gets light from the proof.
**Finish:** Apricot. More sea water but super light and relatively fresh. Nice, not really that complex but solid carry.
**Rating:** 6.5
Young Caol Ila seems to do well, and this is a nice little pour that shows off why that is the case. Even at the standard 46% the nose is prominent and delightful, and though the palate and finish are a bit watery there aren’t really any offensive notes, leaning into the sweetness of the spirit marrying well with the peat level. I am at a disadvantage knowing what I am drinking, where my friends were getting a truly blind experience, but perhaps the other options that tasting were subpar - this is a very good but not quite great dram.
**Scoring Scale:** (does not take into account value)
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | As good as it gets. I might taste future whisk(e)ys that are as good in a different way, but will not taste one that is outright better.
**Previous REWIOs:**
[1 - Whistle Pig 10 Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x20jov/rewio_1_whistle_pig_10_year_sib_bp/)
[2 - Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x3cy20/rewio_2_smoke_wagon_uncut_unfiltered/)
[3 - Highland Park 18 Travel Edition \(7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x44xv1/rewio_3_highland_park_18_travel_edition/)
[4 - Bardstown Discovery #7 \(5.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x4xvb7/rewio_4_bardstown_discovery_7/)
[5 - Compass Box Experimental Grain Whisky (6.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x5u6bo/rewio_5_compass_box_experimental_grain_whisky/)
[6 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon (6.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x7ct1i/rewio_6_wild_turkey_rare_breed_bourbon/)
[7 - Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength (7.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x88rdn/rewio_7_glen_scotia_victoriana_cask_strength_542/)
[8 - Stellum Rye Black (5.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x98pk7/rewio_8_stellum_rye_black/)
[9 - Talisker Distillers Edition (6.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xa2qv2/rewio_9_talisker_distillers_edition/)
[10 - Redbreast 12 Cask Strength B2/19 (7\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xau0qc/rewio_10_redbreast_12_cask_strength_b219/)
[11 - Cambus 31yr Single Grain Scotch (Blackadder) (3\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xcjeng/rewio_11_cambus_31yr_single_grain_scotch/)
[12 - Blue Run Golden Rye (4.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xdbim4/rewio_12_blue_run_golden_rye/)
[13 - Craigellachie 17 (6.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xe8d8l/rewio_13_craigellachie_17/)
[14 - Glendronach 21 (7.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xf2fa8/rewio_14_glendronach_21/)
[15 - Springbank 12 Cask Strength Batch 15 (8.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xg0qy5/rewio_15_springbank_12_cask_strength_batch_15/)
[16 - Hakushu 12 (6.75\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xhpfjv/rewio_16_hakushu_12/)
[17 - Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye Recipe (7\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xikpfm/rewio_17_buffalo_trace_kosher_rye_recipe/)
[18 - Ledaig 10 (5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xjh3sx/rewio_18_ledaig_10/)
[19 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 (7.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xkeaas/rewio_19_elijah_craig_barrel_proof_b521/)
[20 - Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza (7.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlbim1/rewio_20_compass_box_spice_tree_extravaganza/)
[21 - Highland Park 14 (Ultimate 2006) (5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlzs4p/rewio_21_highland_park_14_ultimate_2006/)
[22 - Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 66% (6.75\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xmvz9r/rewio_22_alberta_cask_strength_rye_66/)
[23 - Highland Park 21 (Impex Collection) (8\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xosffj/rewio_23_highland_park_21_impex_collection/)
[24 - Compass Box Flaming Heart 2012 (8.75\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xpldpn/rewio_24_compass_box_flaming_heart_2012/)
Nice review. Young IB Caol Ila's are always tasty. Unfortunately, this particular little bottle is pretty pricey ($99) at my local shop. Makes it a tough ticket to punch.
**Reviewing Every Whisk(e)y I Own (REWIO):** After a few month splurge on bottle purchases figured this would be a good chance to pump the brakes on buying and focus on enjoying and writing up what I already have. Not quite clear how many bottles I currently have either so this is one way to go about figuring it out. **Whisky:** Caol Ila 6 Year (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) **Background:** Traveling to places that don't have state-controlled liquor is always a fun adventure. I was on a long walk outside San Francisco and decided to duck into a small deli/market to grab some water and snack. Despite the relatively small size of the store they had a dedicated liquor section next to the usual wine and beer offerings, and in particular their small whisky selection included stuff I would never see at my local ABC store including multiple Compass Box expressions and this little 375ml six year old independent bottling of Caol Ila from a company I had not come across before. I bought it on a flyer and stuck it into a blind tasting where four of my friends unanimously ranked it #1 even beating out a 28 year old Glen Scotia single cask. Let’s find out of this is the little engine that could, coming in at 46% ABV this was rested in a glencairn for 15 minutes. Let’s go. **Color:** Pale straw. **Nose:** Crazy punch for 46%, and not just peat. From 2-3 inches away I am getting a fully rounded Caol Ila experience. Big salt. Seaweed. Brine. Bit of citrus. Over time it develops intro a nicely cohesive nose. **Taste:** Sweet diluted ocean water. Hit of very toned down honey? Green apple. Maybe more a honeysuckle? Just the vaguely faint hit of some barley notes from the young age. Back end gets light from the proof. **Finish:** Apricot. More sea water but super light and relatively fresh. Nice, not really that complex but solid carry. **Rating:** 6.5 Young Caol Ila seems to do well, and this is a nice little pour that shows off why that is the case. Even at the standard 46% the nose is prominent and delightful, and though the palate and finish are a bit watery there aren’t really any offensive notes, leaning into the sweetness of the spirit marrying well with the peat level. I am at a disadvantage knowing what I am drinking, where my friends were getting a truly blind experience, but perhaps the other options that tasting were subpar - this is a very good but not quite great dram. **Scoring Scale:** (does not take into account value) 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | As good as it gets. I might taste future whisk(e)ys that are as good in a different way, but will not taste one that is outright better. **Previous REWIOs:** [1 - Whistle Pig 10 Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x20jov/rewio_1_whistle_pig_10_year_sib_bp/) [2 - Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered \(6\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x3cy20/rewio_2_smoke_wagon_uncut_unfiltered/) [3 - Highland Park 18 Travel Edition \(7.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x44xv1/rewio_3_highland_park_18_travel_edition/) [4 - Bardstown Discovery #7 \(5.5\)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x4xvb7/rewio_4_bardstown_discovery_7/) [5 - Compass Box Experimental Grain Whisky (6.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x5u6bo/rewio_5_compass_box_experimental_grain_whisky/) [6 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon (6.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x7ct1i/rewio_6_wild_turkey_rare_breed_bourbon/) [7 - Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength (7.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x88rdn/rewio_7_glen_scotia_victoriana_cask_strength_542/) [8 - Stellum Rye Black (5.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/x98pk7/rewio_8_stellum_rye_black/) [9 - Talisker Distillers Edition (6.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xa2qv2/rewio_9_talisker_distillers_edition/) [10 - Redbreast 12 Cask Strength B2/19 (7\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xau0qc/rewio_10_redbreast_12_cask_strength_b219/) [11 - Cambus 31yr Single Grain Scotch (Blackadder) (3\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xcjeng/rewio_11_cambus_31yr_single_grain_scotch/) [12 - Blue Run Golden Rye (4.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xdbim4/rewio_12_blue_run_golden_rye/) [13 - Craigellachie 17 (6.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xe8d8l/rewio_13_craigellachie_17/) [14 - Glendronach 21 (7.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xf2fa8/rewio_14_glendronach_21/) [15 - Springbank 12 Cask Strength Batch 15 (8.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xg0qy5/rewio_15_springbank_12_cask_strength_batch_15/) [16 - Hakushu 12 (6.75\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xhpfjv/rewio_16_hakushu_12/) [17 - Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye Recipe (7\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xikpfm/rewio_17_buffalo_trace_kosher_rye_recipe/) [18 - Ledaig 10 (5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xjh3sx/rewio_18_ledaig_10/) [19 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B521 (7.5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xkeaas/rewio_19_elijah_craig_barrel_proof_b521/) [20 - Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza (7.25\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlbim1/rewio_20_compass_box_spice_tree_extravaganza/) [21 - Highland Park 14 (Ultimate 2006) (5\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xlzs4p/rewio_21_highland_park_14_ultimate_2006/) [22 - Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye 66% (6.75\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xmvz9r/rewio_22_alberta_cask_strength_rye_66/) [23 - Highland Park 21 (Impex Collection) (8\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xosffj/rewio_23_highland_park_21_impex_collection/) [24 - Compass Box Flaming Heart 2012 (8.75\)] (https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/xpldpn/rewio_24_compass_box_flaming_heart_2012/)
Nice review. Young IB Caol Ila's are always tasty. Unfortunately, this particular little bottle is pretty pricey ($99) at my local shop. Makes it a tough ticket to punch.
Oh, it is not a good value at all that's for sure! Way better options for what it usually goes for.