Lochindaal 2009/2016 Caora N°1
Style Single Malt Scotch Country Scotland Region Islay Distillery Bruichladdich Bottler Caora Distillation Date September 2009 Bottling Date October 2016 Age 7 years Maturation Bourbon Barrel Cask r10/002-100 Alcohol 65.7%vol Volume 50cl Outturn 343 Bottles Lochindaal 2009/2016 (65.7%, Caora, first fill bourbon, cask #r10/002-100, 343 bottles)
Caora are a new Swiss independent bottler from Olten, which lies very close to Alsace. This one-off baby from Bruichladdich was peated to 50ppm, so it may lie somewhere between Port Charlotte and Octomore. Now I’m not sure it’s very smart to start a session with a whisky this strong, cough, cough… Colour: pale gold. Nose: this instantly reminds me of the bottlings done by those crazy Swedes named Svenska Eldvatten. It’s powerful yet pristine smoky malt, in the regions of mezcal and gentian (which, by the way, they know very well in Helvetia). So far, so great. With water: a little lemon in a used ashtray, plus some damp hay. Mouth (neat): some kind of nuclear war happening on your tongue, but quite bizarrely, that’s bearable. Vanilla-ed smoked lemons? With water: immaculate smoky lemons and oysters, then tangerines. Unexpected echoes of old Laphroaig from the 1960. I’m dead serious. Finish: long, still pristine, ultra-clean, and beautiful. Comments: sublime young distillate by Bruichladdich with very minimal cask influence. I believe that was the key here. Grüezi miteinander!
90 points.