There is a new independent bottler on the market: Beacon Spirits from Belgium. So far they have released three single malt whiskies and one grain whisky.
One of their single malt whiskies is a 8 YO Caol Ila. This whisky was distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2015 at 51,2 ABV. The outturn was 168 bottles. It is available to buy from Beacon Spirits at EUR 95.
Smoky and peaty! Wow! Behind the smoke and peat there is lemon, eucalyptus and camphur. Really fresh on the nose. It starts off a bit aggressive, but after a while the nose gets more vanilla, grapes and cardamom. Rich and warm on the palate. Not very complex. The smoke is dominating together with salt, pepper and lemon. Warm with a lot of pepper, chilli and nuts on the finish. Some vanilla. And a lot of smoke! I guess it must have been matured in a well used bourbon cask. Quite light, not very complex and the smoke is really dominating.
I am looking forward to tasting more whiskies from Beacon Spirits.
My score: nose 21 / taste 21 / finish 21 / balance 22 = 85
Thanks, Bert!
– Tone
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