Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila Distilled 1980 Imported by Giuseppe Meregalli

[40.0%・Years Old・Distilled in 1980・Bottled in 1993・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling Imported by Giuseppe Meregalli・Limited Release] Nose: Filled with seaweed and sweet peat, minerals and some floral notes hanging about followed by a salty broth with smoked candied bacon flakes, the smoke just gets dirtier and dirtier in time. Palate & Finish: That Sherry burst is radiant,…

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Dram Review: Cadenhead’s Caol Ila 35 Years Old For The Auld Alliance

[58.4%・35 Years Old・Distilled in 1982・Bottled in 2017・Bottled by William Cadenhead Ltd. for The Auld Alliance ・Limited Release] Nose: Soft fruits merging into salted caramel that has been folded into multiple layers, the creamy and waxy base is particularly alluring.  Ripe fruits all around as the smoke ever so delicately applies to the scent, in a…

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Dram Review: Caol Ila 2006 Exclusive for Hong Kong

[46.1%・11 Years Old・Distilled in 2006・Bottled in 2018・如果我們的語言是威士忌, Drink More, 香港威士忌(烈酒)分享站, 香港威士忌同好協會 Joint Bottling・Single Cask Release of 238 Bottles] Nose: Noses like a standard young Caol Ila that is quite well curated and much richer, grassy with ample caramel and vanilla.  As it sits in the glass the peat grows more prominent  with this wholesome charred…

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Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 12 Years Old Distilled 1969

[40%・12 Years Old・Distilled in 1969・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Hint of ash, with a decent layer of stone fruits.  Certainly has that old time-y charm, chalk and seaweed with some light wild flowers. Smoked mussels, croissant and this delightful charred rice fragrance in the background complimented by the confectionary notes seeping out on the…

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Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Reserve Caol Ila 2004 Aged 10 Years (Exclusively Bottled for Gillies Club – Australia)

Style: Sweet and Creamy Nose: Sweet, rather robust ester and stewed fruits fired up by peat smoke. Grassy brushes, drops of herbal oil. Caramel dip and vanilla cream while amber smoke roasting softly. Powerful aroma. Palate: A mighty punch of stewed tropical fruits, round and robust. Quickly followed by smoke fire and herbal touches. A…

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Dram Review: SMWS 53.239 Caol Ila “Ham Hock and Blackcurrant Jam”

[59.7%・ 19 Years Old・Bottled in 2016・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: The peat smoke politely arrives on scene, smoked trout and iodine fill the room with a touch of anise.  A fireplace getting started by burning scrunched up newspapers. Palate & Finish: Forest berries and sweet peat make for a friendly entry.  A chilli zing brings…

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Whisky Review: Signatory Vintage Caol Ila 1983 Aged 31 Years (Cask Hand Picked By The Whisky Exchange)

Style: Fruity and Dignified Nose: Refreshing and light-hearted fragrance on the nose. Black pepper and sea spray followed by balmy lemon tea. Stew fruits reduced to puree sweetness, almost winey at times. Subtle tropical fruits and apricots. Another whiff of distant sea breeze fluttering through touches of peat smoke. Sweet, balmy and peppery. Very nice.…

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Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila Sassicaia Wood Finish 2003

[45.0%・12 Years Old・Distilled in 2003・Bottled in 2016・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release of 4100 Bottles] Nose: Quite naturalistic and primitive with the cowshed vibe laying the groundwork for white pepper and strawberry essence; the fireplace-esque sensation has been kept at bay, with just a hint of creaminess foreboding what’s to come. Palate & Finish: Strawberry cream…

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Dram Review: Caol Ila Aged 15 Years “Unpeated Style”

[61.5%・15 Years Old・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Quite spirity off the mark, juniper berries with an emphasis on the rawness; splashed with notes of blazed oak staves and brine solution.  Slight hint of green apples with a filtered whiff of coal smoke that makes its obligated entry but doesn’t quite give that thrilling sensation. Palate…

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Dram Review: Caol Ila Wild & Primitive 1998

[53.4%・18 Years Old・Silvano Samaroli Bottling・Cask 10740] Nose: A soothing wave of peat carries lime essence across, the sea breeze bringing along hint of seaweed, bits of smoked biltong and a sprinkle of sichimi spices. Palate & Finish: A voluminous delivery of lemony oiliness that glides and coats the tastebuds effortlessly, a real showstopper. The peat…

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