Single Malt
Scotland
1 Jan 1996
This 1996 vintage bottling from Gordon and MacPhail's Connoisseur's Choice is a veritable exhibition of Caol Ila's character, there is a fruity freshness underpinning phenols and a strong coastal note.
The nose pertains a certain herbal quality with a well-balanced cereal sweetness. There are some gentle medicinal notes, the smoke is thick, yet elegant with a dark, chewy peat. The palate is quite full and rich. There smoke is big and whirling with barley sugars and a touch of honey. An apple note emerges with a kelp note. The finish is long and a tad briny with smoke and dry ropes.
For this price, I can't really think of better scotch... A healthy dose of smoke but with the complexity of a Speyside. A palate that explodes with flavor.
