Scotch

Brave New Spirits Widow’s Cove Caol Ila 11 Year Old Review

What happens when Caol Ila's Islay smoke meets a first fill Fino Sherry cask? A captivating dram that outshines many indie bottlings—here's why.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Tasting Notes

About:

An interesting release from Brave New Spirits of Caol Ila, finished in a first-fill Fino Sherry cask. A way to amplify some of those more intense notes of Islay.
Appearance:
Dark Gold
Nose:
Smoked salted caramel, flint, Zippo fuel, roasted nuts, hot honey, Jalapeno brine, caramelised white chocolate and hazelnuts.
Palate:
It starts sweet but builds in dryness. Dry peat smoke, salt, peanuts, nut oils, mixed peppercorns, sage, seaweed, butter and olive oil.
Finish:
Dry, salty, and loaded with West Coast smoke and dry sherry. It runs a little more like an Ardbeg on the finish rather than a Caol Ila, but that’ll be that amplified dryness with more saltiness, too.
Comments:
This is a really fun Caol Ila expression. The fino sherry is adding some interesting notes and providing it with a deeper, more complex profile when compared to other, more generic options released from other indie bottlers. They’re not bad whiskies, but this one is overall more captivating.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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