Caol Ila 2016 Best Dram Chardonnay #9 – 57,6%

This single malt was distilled at the Caol Ila Distillery on June 6, 2016, and matured for over a decade before being finished by the independent bottler Best Dram on July 17, 2026. It owes its distinctive complexity to a finishing period in a first-fill Chardonnay butt from the renowned South Tyrolean winery St. Michael-Eppan. With a limited release of just 674 bottles, this bottling offers a rare opportunity to experience the combination of Islay peat and a Burgundian grape variety.

On the nose, bright citrus notes and green apple unfold initially, underpinned by a delicate vanilla sweetness and a salty note. On the palate, the whisky is powerful and oily; juicy yellow fruits meld with a creamy sweetness before a subtle peat smoke emerges. The finish is long-lasting and dry, characterized by mineral salinity and elegant citrus zest that evokes the rugged coast of Islay.