This Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila was distilled in 2002 and matured for about 17 years in a refill sherry hogshead before being bottled in January 2020 at cask strength, 55.3% ABV.
Gordon & MacPhail, founded in Elgin in 1895, is one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers, and its Connoisseurs Choice range showcases single casks from distilleries across Scotland. Caol Ila, on Islay's north-east coast overlooking the Sound of Islay, is known for its oily, coastal peat smoke, here deepened by a sherry cask.
Gordon & MacPhail's notes point to cured meat, honey and clove on the nose, then dates, almond, dark chocolate and coffee on the palate, with a long, smoky finish.
Presented in Gordon & MacPhail's dark Connoisseurs Choice gift box, it is a superb gift for lovers of peated Islay malt.
Add a few drops of water to open the sherry fruit and smoke.
Scotch whisky must be distilled and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks, and any age statement on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle.
Islay's peated malts take their smoke from barley dried over peat fires, and a refill sherry cask, having given up much of its own flavour to earlier fillings, adds gentle dried fruit and spice without masking the distillery character. Cask strength bottlings like this one let you choose your own dilution.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Cured meat, honey and clove.
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Palate: Dates, almond, dark chocolate and coffee.
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Finish: Long and smoky.
Specifications
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Producer: Gordon & MacPhail (Caol Ila distillery)
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Style: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, cask strength
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Expression / Batch: Connoisseurs Choice, distilled 2002
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Age: 17 years
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Proof / ABV: 110.6 proof (55.3% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Refill sherry hogshead
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Region: Islay, Scotland
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat with water on the side. It pairs with smoked salmon, dark chocolate or blue cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who bottled it?
Gordon & MacPhail, the Elgin independent bottler founded in 1895.
What cask was used?
A refill sherry hogshead.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at cask strength, 55.3% ABV.
Explore more in our Scotch collection.
