Truth be told, I never heard anything about today’s bottler before. From what I could find on the internet (which wasn’t much), they are relatively new on the market and that their bottlings are limited to the Belgian market. If you have any more info about them, please let me know.

Have a good second Advent!

Facts

Caol Ila 1991 (John McCrae & Co. ‘McCrae’s’)

Nose

Soft peat smoke, smoked ham and barbecued fish, along with more delicate, floral notes. Followed by pineapples and sea weed.

Taste

Smooth and sweet. The peat smoke is back again and a bit stronger now. Vanilla, dried fruits, honey and caramel are balanced by a slightly sour note. Ends with a salty touch.

Finish

Very long with a pleasant warmth. Some sweet smoke and salt. Gets a bit dryer towards the end.

Overall

What a very well selected cask! All the good stuff you can expect from a great refill hogshead joined by soft smoke. A very nice and highly enjoyable dram.

Score: 88 / 100

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’)

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