Douglas Laing Caol Ila 1979 26 Years Old, The Whisky Fair

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 54 by Arthur Motley and Owen Barstow.

Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes.

• Issue 54 online • Buy issue 54 (£5.95)
• Subscribe to Whisky Magazine (from £28.38)
• Preview current issue (72) • Preview other issues online

Tasting Notes

Arthur Motley Nose Tropical fruit flavoured Germolene. Artificial strawberry flavour. Yacht varnish. A sweet floral note too. With water cigarette ash and horses. Lemon and mothballs. Palate Antiseptic, ropey, then leathery. Some fruitiness tucked in somewhere. Finish Salted cashews rolled in cigarette ash. Comment Should have been taken out of the cask a few years back. Easy to say now of course.

Owen Barstow Nose Delicate, but undeniable phenols waft above a cream soda/candy floss base. Pear drops, too. Palate Sweet ‘n’ salt. Beautiful biscuity fresh flavours of toasting malt. Finish Sweet, smoky and medicinal. Comment Smoked malt aromas and flavours remind me of early morning mashing at a Bavarian smoked beer brewery. Stunningly balanced.