hs305 scored this whisky 91 points 
[January, 2018] To check my statement from November (where I declared this 2017 edition as the best since the first release from 2010) I do a head-to-head with the 2016 bottling tonight. Unfortunately (or fortunately for my taste buds) both bottles are already gone that is why I had to buy and open a new set of this delicious stuff - and luckily the dutch online shop renewed its special offer of 96,40 Euro. That is what I call a bargain these days!
The nosing profiles of both drams are comparable but the 2016 is a little more punchy and sharp than the 2017 that is more delicate and balanced. Clearly I like the 2017 better on that dimension. The initial mouthfeel of the 2017 is nicer because it is more coating and without any distracting moment while the 2016 shows a tiny peppery (hot) feeling (that is not annoying at all). The taste of both drams is complex and layered. The 2017 offers slightly more flavours and aromas than the 2016 but it is a very close call. The finish is a clear draw where both offer a great length and add more flavours (spices) with a minor drying feeling (tobacco ash). Both are excellent swimmer where the 2016 benefits more from some water added and closes the (small) gap to the 2017 by a fair share.
You can nail me down on this statement: The Caol Ila 25-years old is the best buy in the market these days (if you find it for under 100 Euros, but to be honest: as a drinker I am willing to pay up the 150 Euro for a dram of such quality) and the most recent release is the best since years. To me this is no surprise as the early nineties are (most probably) the best years of the Scotch whisky industry since the sixties/early seventies. Why? Quite simple: The eighties bust period had just ended and the actual whisky boom not started yet. So production was in a "normal mode" and not harmed by cost cuts or yield pressures...
The nosing profiles of both drams are comparable but the 2016 is a little more punchy and sharp than the 2017 that is more delicate and balanced. Clearly I like the 2017 better on that dimension. The initial mouthfeel of the 2017 is nicer because it is more coating and without any distracting moment while the 2016 shows a tiny peppery (hot) feeling (that is not annoying at all). The taste of both drams is complex and layered. The 2017 offers slightly more flavours and aromas than the 2016 but it is a very close call. The finish is a clear draw where both offer a great length and add more flavours (spices) with a minor drying feeling (tobacco ash). Both are excellent swimmer where the 2016 benefits more from some water added and closes the (small) gap to the 2017 by a fair share.
You can nail me down on this statement: The Caol Ila 25-years old is the best buy in the market these days (if you find it for under 100 Euros, but to be honest: as a drinker I am willing to pay up the 150 Euro for a dram of such quality) and the most recent release is the best since years. To me this is no surprise as the early nineties are (most probably) the best years of the Scotch whisky industry since the sixties/early seventies. Why? Quite simple: The eighties bust period had just ended and the actual whisky boom not started yet. So production was in a "normal mode" and not harmed by cost cuts or yield pressures...
