Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog Oloroso Sherry Hogshead Single Islay Malt Whisky 56,3%

Little Brown Dog puts a large blue lobster on the label. That is not accidental – the lobster's shell, the salt water and the characteristic coastal scent are exactly what they want to evoke. Caol Ila 2014, a refill Oloroso sherry hogshead and 306 bottles. That is all there is.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog Spirits is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single refill Oloroso sherry hogshead, bottled at 56.3% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 306 bottles.

Little Brown Dog Spirits is a British independent bottler working with single-cask bottlings focused on rarity and character. Each product has its own label reflecting the whisky – the lobster was made for this batch of Caol Ila.

A refill Oloroso sherry hogshead gives a discreet sherry influence – the cask has already been used and carries primarily traces of the dry, nutty Oloroso. Combined with Caol Ila's smoke and saltiness, it creates a complex and layered profile.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sea salt, brine and a subtle smouldering bonfire – a classic coastal feeling. Behind: Lapsang Souchong tea, citrus and bog myrtle. The Oloroso cask gives a soft, nutty depth.

Palate

Complex and umami-rich. Smoke, sea note, lemon and a tea-like bitterness balanced by the cask's residual sweetness. Fig and smoked spice in the background.

Finish

Elegant and long – delicate pepper, sea salt and a peat that fades without haste.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog Oloroso Sherry Hogshead
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Little Brown Dog Spirits
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Distilled 2014
ABV: 56.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – refill Oloroso sherry hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2014
Number of bottles: 306

Flavour profile

Peated · Oloroso · Maritime · Umami-rich · Elegant

Did you know?

Bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is a wild plant along Scottish coasts and bogs, releasing an aromatic resin reminiscent of rosemary and bay leaf. It appears in coastal whiskies' aromas without ever being added – it is the air and soil that settle into the cask.

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Frequently asked questions about Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog Oloroso Sherry Hogshead

Is Caol Ila Little Brown Dog 2014 Oloroso worth it?

Yes, for those seeking a rare and complex coastal expression. 306 bottles, 56.3%, refill Oloroso hogshead and Little Brown Dog's thorough selection is a credible combination.

What is a refill Oloroso sherry hogshead?

A hogshead cask that previously held Oloroso sherry. 'Refill' means it has been used at least once before for whisky maturation, so the wood influence is discreet and subtle.

What is Little Brown Dog Spirits?

A British independent bottler specialising in single-cask bottlings. Each product has its own label with an animal or symbol reflecting the whisky.

What does Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog taste like?

Sea salt, Lapsang Souchong tea, citrus and bog myrtle on the nose. Complex and umami-rich on the palate with smoke, sea notes and tea-like bitterness. Elegant and long finish.

What is Oloroso sherry?

A dry, oxidised sherry from Jerez, Spain, with notes of walnuts, dried fruit and spice. Darker and richer than Fino and Manzanilla.

What is Caol Ila?

Caol Ila is owned by Diageo and contributes malt primarily to Johnnie Walker blends. The distillery is Islay's largest, yet far less well-known than its neighbours.

What is Islay's style?

Caol Ila's smoke profile is more restrained than Laphroaig or Lagavulin. Peat-based but maritime and relatively sweet, it suits those curious about peated whisky without wanting the heaviest expressions.