Passion for single malt Scotch whisky has been at the heart of Gordon & MacPhail’s family business for four generations. This range is an ever-changing collection of unique perspectives on distilleries’ own bottlings, non-chill-filtered single cask and small batch expressions bottled at cask strength and exceptional one-offs. For the malt whisky explorer, it promises a journey of discovery through different flavours, finishes, strengths and vintages.
As part of the Wood Finished sub-series in the Connoisseurs Choice range, after an 11-year finish in refill casks the experts at Gordon & MacPhail have given their maturing Caol Ila a one-year finish in some particularly active Sassicaia red wine casks.
Region: Islay
Outturn: 3550
Distilled: 2010
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 45%
Non Chill Filtered, No Colour Added
Tasting Notes
Nose: Dried figs with sweet cured meats and cinnamon spice. Fudge and milk chocolate notes lead to rich smoke.
Taste: Redcurrant gives way to subtle black pepper. Red apple comes to the fore alongside lemon peel and toasted oak.
Finish: Medium bodied with pepper. Forest fruits and lingering smoke.
Gordon & MacPhail is one of Scotland’s oldest and most respected independent bottlers and have one of the broadest and deepest collections of maturing Scotch whisky.
Caol Ila was founded in 1846 on Islay’s East coast, next to Port Askaig. The distillery was demolished by current owner, Diageo, in 1972 and rebuilt with a massively increased capacity; making it the largest producer of single malt whiskey on Islay. Despite receiving the same spec of malt, from Port Ellen Maltings, as Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s distillation regime produces a lighter, less phenolic spirit. Their spirit is described as coastal, gently smoky, grassy, floral and fruity.
