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North Star Spirits Obscurities & Curiosities Caol Ila 2014 8 Year Old Review

Can an 8-year Caol Ila deliver big sherry depth and BBQ smoke? This rare North Star octave-cask bottling proves it—with only 80 bottles.

OVERALL RATING

9
$78
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
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Tasting Notes

About:

An 8-Year-Old Caol Ila single malt bottled by independent bottler North Star Spirits as part of the Obscurities & Curiosities range of expressions. Distilled in July 2014, this Islay malt was matured in a sherry octave cask before being bottled in March 2023. Only 80 bottles were produced, bottled at natural colour and without chill filtration at 54.5% ABV.
Appearance:
Rich Amber
Nose:
Aromas of barbequed meats and tangy BBQ sauce open on the nose, shifting into notes of sherry and walnuts before aromas of salty brine and subtle peat embers develop. In the background, there’s a touch of leather.
Palate:
The palate opens with rich sherry notes, mouthcoating and tingling with spice, leading into dried sherried fruits and spices including ginger and nutmeg, accompanied by a hint of paprika. Sherry notes give way to molasses, charred marshmallow and toasted oak before fizzy cola cubes. Subtle smoke echoes throughout.
Finish:
A long finish, with old polished leather, sherry and dried fruits alongside refined salty smoke which becomes increasingly ashy towards the close.
Comments:
This North Star Obscurities & Curiosities Caol Ila expression displays some very clear and well layered aromas and flavours for just 8 years old, a testament to the spirit’s contact with the small active octave cask wood. There’s lots of sherry influence, with the dried fruits and spices integrating well with subtle ashy peat – but I also really enjoyed the BBQ meat and sauce aromas and fizzy cola cube notes. One of my favourite Caol Ila expressions for a while, and I really would like another bottle.

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.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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