This week in The Spirits Project, we will feature
Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands "Caol Ila 30-Year Cask-Strength" Single Malt Scotch 1980
(bottled 2010)
Suggested Retail Price $399. Tonight, we will pour once ounce for $12
Caol Ila was founded to the North of Islay in 1846 by one Hector Henderson. It is located near Port Askaig and sits in lush, floral surroundings, overlooking the cove and the Paps of southern Jura. The name derives from the Gaelic for ‘Sound of Islay.’
The distillery draws its water from Loch Nam Ban, whose waters travel through limestone and peat before reaching their beneficiary, Caol Ila. The the majority of production is used in Johnnie Walker blends. Just 5% is kept for maturation as single malt.
Independent bottlings, like this one from Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich, are some of the most interesting whiskeys in all of Scotland. This particular 30-year was matured in Bourbon casks and then further enhanced in Italian Amarone casks - Bottled in Islay.
We will open one bottle at 6:30. When it's gone, it's gone!