If you weren’t aware, I’m a total sucker for Caol Ila. It’s a very large distillery, but only a fraction of its total production makes it out as single malt. I’ve even heard rumors that significant quantities of unpeated malt are produced for their blending needs. One thing I love about Caol Ila is that, like some of its Islay neighbors, it’s remarkably multifaceted. It’s difficult to determine whether these stylistic ranges are intentional, like Bruichladdich, or seasonal, like Laphroaig, but we have three barrels this year of different styles and ages, each in classic refill hogsheads. The idea was to capture three faces of Caol Ila and present them at stupendous prices. This second barrel from Old Particular is starting to offer a wilder side of the wonderful north shore distiller. The color is a bright yellow gold (0.4). The nose is powerful with green pepper, lime zesty, dense green peat and tense ashy smoke. There's some lovely soft oak to mellow a bit to already and hints of smoked meats. Dense dark ash smoke envelopes the palate and doesn't relent. Smoking embers, mesquite, dark roast wood, and a tense salty finish. A totally wonderful and unexpected side of this fabulous distillery.