Caol Ila – 11 Year Old Widows Cove WhiskyHeroes First Fill Fino Hogshead

This is an 11-year-old Caol Ila from Islay, bottled by Brave New Spirits as Widows Cove in its WhiskyHeroes series. It was matured in a first fill Fino sherry hogshead, and the dry Fino character sharpens the peat smoke rather than breaking it up. The nose combines a fine veil of peat smoke with sweet honey and the dry nuttiness of the Fino cask. On the palate there are herbs and a pinch of pepper alongside peat and smoke, with a firm structure and a restrained sherry dryness. The finish is dry and drawn out, ending on earthy, smoky notes.