The final and very mysterious bottling from the Diageo Special Releases 2018, the identity of Cladach was kept under wraps longer than the other editions in the range.
This year the blend features just six distilleries, but this does provide the blend with a greater clarity of style of flavour. A blended malt from six coastal distilleries including Caol Ila, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Inchgower and Talisker.

The limited release coastal colossus was matured in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks, refill American oak hogsheads, refill European oak butts and ex-bodega European oak butts before it was bottled at a natural cask strength 57.1% ABV.

Cladah opens with rich, dark fruits, distant bonfire smoke, petrichor, and leafy pine, before seaweed, salted caramel, and orange oil come through. Lemon drizzle cake and an aromatic fresh air note lift proceedings.
Both sweeter and smokier on the palate with wood smoke, blackberry, stewed apple, and hard toffee. Liquorice Allsorts, honeycomb and a dash of mint keep it lively.
Gently drying on the finish, with dark chocolate and more of that smoke, dried orange peel and a dash of vanilla.

The coast in a glass. And it really is lovely.

700mL | 57.1% ABV