Caol Ila 2001 Hermitage Wood Finish (Gordon & MacPhail ‘Private Collection’)

Peaty Friday Episode 17

Today’s episode is my 100th review here on dramlicious.com! And what would be better than to celebrate this special occasion with a special whisky?

This Caol Ila 2001 is part of Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘Private Collection’,

a range of single malt whiskies personally selected by the Directors of Gordon & MacPhail. Each is of exceptional age and rarity, and of outstanding character and quality.

Now, I don’t think that 13 years are “exceptional” old for any single malt, but I don’t want to spill the beans. What makes this single malt so special is its 18 month long finish in casks Hermitage wine casks. Hermitage is a wine appellation in the northern Rhone valley in France and is famous for its red wine made from the Syrah grape.

Facts

Caol Ila 2001 Hermitage Wood Finish (Gordon & MacPhail 'Private Collection')

Caol Ila 2001 Hermitage Wood Finish (Gordon & MacPhail ‘Private Collection’)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Caol Ila 2001
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
Bottling Series: Private Collection
Distilled: 29.08.2001
Bottled: 14.04.2015
Age: 13 Years Old
Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Caol Ila
Cask Type: Hermitage Wine Casks Finish
No. of Bottles: 3600
Strength: 45.0% vol.
Colored: No
Chill Filtered: No

Nose

Pleasant and quite strong aroma of smoked ham, accompanied by delicate peat smoke and a fine summer-like sweetness. Followed by dark cherries, strawberries and red berries. Overall not as winery as expected which is not a bad thing in my books. Hints of iodine in the back.

Taste

Unexpectedly strong given the 45%. A very delightful, sweet peat smoke balanced by toffee, strawberries and raspberries. Hints of oak and rose pepper.

Finish

Long. Again sweet smoke. Red berries covered in dark chocolate.

Overall

A pretty superb dram! The wine finish plays more of a support role which I really like. A wonderful combination between smoke and a summer-like sweetness of red fruits.

Score: 90 / 100

 

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2 Comments on Caol Ila 2001 Hermitage Wood Finish (Gordon & MacPhail ‘Private Collection’)

  1. Contrats on post 100! And that’s a very good distillery and bottling to celebrate…

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