Tonight, Thursday June 7 - The Spirits Project at Catherine Lombardi will feature Caol Illa 30-Year 1980 (Alchemist Selection) Scotch Whisky; Islay Bottled 2010 Suggested Retail Price is $225
We will pour one ounce for $7.00 Caol Ila is hidden in a quiet cove near Port Askaig. Situated on Loch Nam Ban, the site is ideal thanks to the abundant supply of good water. Caol Ila (Gaelic for 'the Sound of Islay') was built in 1846 by Hector Henderson - a Glasgow businessman with a keen interest in distilling. In 1857 the distillery was purchased by Bulloch Lade & Co. The Distillers Company Limited took over management in 1927. Production continued until 1972, when the entire structure of the distillery was demolished. A larger distillery was built in the same original architectural style, and production resumed in 1974. Caol Ila Whisky is one of the lighter of the Islays; pale in color with a greenish tinge. It has a peaty nose, with distinct floral notes. It has notes of seaweed/iodine and it's lightly medicinal, smoky, salty, sweet with a dry peppery finish. This is a "merchant whisky." Gordon Wright, whose family owns Springbank and who is lately behind the rebirth of The Bruichladdich, is the driving force behind The Alchemist line of merchant whiskies. So while the name "Alchemist" may be new, it's got the history and expertise of a veteran Scotch family behind it as well as the most controversial and forward looking whisky artisan in Scotland: Gordon Wright brings both of these to the table and it's thrilling!
Next Week in The Spirits Project Caol Ila 1984 (Scott's Selection) 23 yr so we can compare to this week's how cool is that?