Cooper's Choice Caol Ila 1992, 13 Years Old

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 51 by Michael Jackson and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Michael Jackson Nose Glorious clear crisp woodsmoke, followed by the slow steady thump of the phenols – some tar, some burnt wood. Salty, savoury undertones. Palate Sweet smoke. Wood (not peat) fires. Embers. Ash. Honey. Salty. Finish The smoke cuts through any residual cloying honey. Medicinal. Comment Incredibly appetising. Perhaps a touch more acidity somewhere would balance the sweetness.

Dave Broom Nose Light, but immediately peaty. Seashore aromas, quite salty, dried seaweed, smoked haddock. With water more like a dentist’s surgery. Palate Light, but sooty. Have to fight to get past the smuts to discover cooked fish. Water calms it down and brings out lychee, then smoke. Finish Dry, kipper-like (a pick-up of intensity). Comment This is good, but seems to still be building in complexity. If there’s any of this batch left...keep ‘em in cask for a few more years.