Taster

Nose: Intensely junipery.

Palate: Sweet, junipery, salty. Stony. Ironstone.

Finish: Juniper. Mint.

Comment: For its age, not at all woody, but lacking in roundness. The flavours seem to be coming apart.

Score: 7

Taster

Nose: The peat plays a surprisingly minor role with the acacia-honey and malt starring. Oak wins.

Palate: Some deep oak sweetens out to welcome the malt and when peat arrives it takes a firm hold.

Finish: Medium length with lots of chocolate among the peat. Quite bitter on the finish.

Comment: A noble, attractive if rather tired version of one of the first ever makes of the new-style Caol Ila after it's rebuilding in 1974.

Score: 7.5