Taster

Nose: Pungent if not spirit. Spirity. Smells young. Iodinic. Medicinal. With water, barley sugar.

Palate: Deceptive sweetness at first, quickly wiped out by an aggressive bite. Tar, once diluted, gets malty with a citrussy touch.

Finish: Short with a sooty hint.

Comment: Like an unripe fruit. Too biting, too thin flavourwise. Possibly a tired cask.

Score: 7.3

Taster

Nose: Big. Early morning fishing trip: bait box (dried fish scales and lugworm extract), alongside a bacon sandwich (white bread/butter/smoked bacon). In time, smoky fish stock. Sea breezes. Real freshness.

Palate: Smoke at the front of the mouth. Tongue coating. Smoked fish cooked in hay. Great feel and delivery.

Finish: Angelica. Oyster with a drop of tabasco.

Comment: Perfect balance. An extremely good Caol Ila. Recommended.

Score: 8.3