Super bottle Caol Ila 11 Flash (1x70cl)

An 11-year-old single malt from the Caol Ila distillery on Islay, released by an independent bottler rather than as an official distillery bottling. Independent releases are worth a look because they often show a distillery in a slightly different light from the standard range.

Islay malts are usually peated, so this is one for the smoke drinkers at the table rather than everyone. Good after dinner with a bit of dark chocolate, or alongside oysters if you want to see why that pairing keeps coming up.

Tasting notes

Islay single malt typically shows peat smoke, brine and iodine alongside citrus and a touch of malt sweetness, and at eleven years it usually still carries plenty of that smoky character. Try it neat first, then add a drop of water.