Glen Ord 28 yo 1992 / 2020 SMWS 77.65 49.3% vs Caol Ila 27 yo 1983 / 2010 Spirit of Caledonia 51.5%
Glen Ord 28 yo 1992 / 2020 SMWS 77.65 49.3%
Well aged Ord, but it doesn’t nose as a particularly mature whisky. Still we get a fair dose of butter, cream, pollen, soft caramel, and other bourbon derived notes that here clearly garlands a broad shouldered malt. And what a malt it is, somewhat hot and brightly herbaceous still, with capsicums, tarragon, lemongrass and the gold glow of vetiver. The aromatics are downright raucous and on the tongue it rides in packing heat. There it remains, a strident, dusty malt yelling about steam pressed carpets and the salubrious qualities of perennial herbs. 88 pts
Caol Ila 27 yo 1983 / 2010 Spirit of Caledonia #3623 51.5%
This is a great example of where the sherry has not ridden roughshod over the finer aspects of the Caol Ila and so, the marriage is an enviable match. What I mean is that the opening is all about relaxing on suede armchairs and enjoying dark berries, salted chocolate, licorice and warm clove balms. But sooty grills and buttered utensils hover about and soon the sea rushes in to soak firepits worth of ash and the richness turns to ghostly phenols. Salt tang rises like mist from dark waters and the phenolic return is heralded by dried lemon peel, menthol cigarettes, dried seaweed, chest rub and distant wood smoke. The salt and phenols clearly have the last word, even if they are lapping and quietly spoken. 90 pts
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