One more red nightmare – Caol Ila on Australian wine
Any lovers of the classic progressive rock band King Crimson here? When I poured the sample of today in my glass, I could not help but think about a song by them: “One More Red Nightmare”. Kind people keep on giving me samples of whisky matured or finished on red wine casks, and me, fascinated as I am by all things whisky, keep on trying them. Will I ever find one that works from beginning to end? Maybe today!
Caol Ila 13 years old, vintage 2010, bottled at 52,4 % abv by Whiskybroker
First things first: Lots of information here. This Caol Ila was distilled on 7 October 2010, and filled into what I suspect was a plain cask, before being transferred on 16 September 2021. The new vessel was a Coonawarra Region Australian Red Wine cask. Bottled on 22 November 2023, the yield was 297 examples of … red nightmare? Hogshead # 318246. Let’s go!
Upon Sipping: Not a full maturation, but it has all the looks of it, so incredibly deep crimson red this one is. The first impression is very good. Lots of minerals and limestone, mixed with exuberant cherries en red velvet cake with a big squirt of cream on it. The peat is rather subdued and creates a meaty character which is not unusual in Caol Ila from exotic casks. This one follows the script. I like the smouldering fireplace in the background. The taste proves to be a challenge. It remains meaty, for sure, but the overall impression is one of incoherence. Not as dry as I expected and subtly fruity, with the smoke putting a good signature on the finish. Still, besides the nose, this Caol Ila feels like an orchestra out of tune.
With a drop of water the nose turns decidedly fruity, mostly on red fruit marmalade. The smoke is almost a dissonant here, in fact, we could even say why bother with whisky at all, just pour me a glass of this wine. The taste is over the edge of the cliff by now, with an overdose of sulphur and bone dry tannins.
Word to the Wise: I had high hopes when I started this session, but in the glass and with water, the whisky started to disintegrate. Sadly, another example of red wine and whisky not matching up. The nose is enjoyable, but repeated sipping from this winesky will make your stomach turn sour. As often, for masochists only.
Score: 75 points.