Another absolute beauty from stalwart independent bottlers Gordon and MacPhail! This family owned company have been bottling whiskies for 115 years, so should know a thing or two about putting together a great whisky!
This is no exception, a lovely small batch Caol Ila drawn from just three first fill sherry casks, numbers 301522, 301530 and 301532. First distilled in 2005, this whisky was allowed to age for 11 years before bottling, developing a surprising complexity in a short amount of time.
Known as the “Mr. Consistency” of Islay malts, Caol Ila produces a constantly excellent quality of single malt, so much so that many of Diageo”s blends use it for their smoky backbone.
Having been matured in first fill sherry casks, this whisky is extremely rich in notes of sultanas, prunes, raisins, red berries, toasted baking spices and sweet wine. These pair perfectly with the inherent peaty, grassy notes of Caol Ila’s spirit.
Bottled at a robust 56.8% ABV, and without chill filtration or artificial colouration (as always with this range), this allows the natural qualities of this dram to really shine through.
An excellent whisky from a consistently superb bottler.