Review #248: Murray McDavid 1990 Caol Ila 17 Chateau Haut Brion Finish

Islay - 17 - NCF - NCA - $120 - 53.9%

Caol Ila is a northen Islay distillery.  They are owned by everybody's favorite conglomerate Diageo. Chateau Haut Brion is a First Growth Bordeaux estate.  They mae a wine that is usually about 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet and balanced out with Cab Franc.  This Caol Ila was finished in these red wine barrels.  

Color - Auburn  

Nose -  Cherries, sea spray, fire place soot, citrus, vanilla

Palate - Cherries, cigar ashes, sea weed

Finish - Medium  - Stewed cherries, ash, oak and vegetables 

Overall - 5.5 - The nose is pretty muted on this one.  I would hope for a bigger or more complex nose for this age. The whole thing is not complex at all.  I think a little more peat would have helped make this more interesting.  Overall, while enjoyable, there are just such better red wine & peat options at a lower price point.  It just doesn't drink its age and just leaves me wanting more.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.92

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16