{"product_id":"gordon-macphail-connoisseurs-choice-caol-ila-2002-17-year-old-cask-strength-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml","title":"Gordon \u0026 MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 2002 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Gordon \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGordon \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGordon \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresented in Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail's dark Connoisseurs Choice gift box, it is a superb gift for lovers of peated Islay malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdd a few drops of water to open the sherry fruit and smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScotch 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIslay'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cured meat, honey and clove.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dates, almond, dark chocolate and coffee.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and smoky.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gordon \u0026amp; MacPhail (Caol Ila distillery)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, cask strength\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpression \/ Batch:\u003c\/strong\u003e Connoisseurs Choice, distilled 2002\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 17 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProof \/ ABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 110.6 proof (55.3% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCask \/ Finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Refill sherry hogshead\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Islay, Scotland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to Enjoy It\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe it neat with water on the side. It pairs with smoked salmon, dark chocolate or blue cheese.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho bottled it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGordon \u0026amp; MacPhail, the Elgin independent bottler founded in 1895.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat cask was used?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA refill sherry hogshead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat proof is it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is bottled at cask strength, 55.3% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExplore more in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/scotch\"\u003eScotch collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gordon \u0026 MacPhail","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68023265689909,"sku":"VWS_200422952","price":150.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/7367\/8901\/files\/noir-gold-main-4402.webp?v=1793653265","url":"https:\/\/hiddencasks.com\/products\/gordon-macphail-connoisseurs-choice-caol-ila-2002-17-year-old-cask-strength-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml","provider":"Hidden Casks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}