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2002 Caol Ila 20 Year Old "Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice" K&L Exclusive Cask #8378 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

2002 Caol Ila 20 Year Old "Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice" K&L Exclusive Cask #8378 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel Nonchillfiltered Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

David Othenin-Girard
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K&L Buyer
Review Date: 01/2024

This gorgeous cask of Caol Ila is pure class. It's not a peat monster or powerhouse, instead it's a regal old dame of the highest order. But that by no means should indicate a malt that you should brush her off. No, here's great tension and depth here that is so difficult to replicate in these old Islay malts, particularly at this price point. IN fact, there's no OLD Islay at this price from what I can tell, but what's most important here is the way it tastes. Here we go. A fabulous burnished color. The nose is a gorgeous mixture of sweet ripe orchard fruit covered in white ash. Cured meats, granny smith, bergamot, dried mango, exotic spices, sandalwood. On the palate, dense rich smoke, powerful spice, big oak spice, big clean smoke, smoked meats, citrus oils, smoldering and supple. It's such a fun old school vibe that reminds me much more of older distillery offerings than the punchier weirder IBs we see. I'll be very sad when this bottle is gone.

Price: $170.00

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Staff Reviews

Andrew Whiteley
Review Date: 01/2024
As a result of the insane single malt boom over the last decade we've seen very little in the way of middle aged malt at reasonable prices recently. Fortunately, our relationship with Gordon & MacPhail still affords us occasional access to gems like this. This epic first fill Bourbon barrel of Caol Ila offers well aged classic Islay distillery drinking at a very attractive price. I'm stunned at how Bourbon-y the nose is. Aside from the obvious fact that it is peated single malt, the vanilla, butterscotch, and peanut butter jump out like they're on fire. Caol Ila's famous fruit is on full display paired beautifully with hot peat fire and smoldering BBQ brisket. The dusting of salt does wonders to bring out the intensity of flavors carried comfortably in 53.9% ABV. Yeilding a tragically small 157 bottles, this cask (and my bottle) will be gone far too soon.

Notes

A stupendous barrel of Caol Ila that's simply being sold way under market prices. There's no reason this special cask should be so affordable, but we've worked hard with our supplier to keep these prices reasonable and are able to offer this well below market for at least the short time it will remain on our shelf. Distilled in late 2002 and filled into a first fill bourbon barrel for just under 21 years. It was bottled at at cask strength without chillfiltration or coloring on August 30th of 2023. Only 157 bottles bottled at 53.9% abv by vol. This old gorgeous Islay malt is truly one of kind in todays market. Extremely balanced and well apportioned, there are very few single malt lovers who will turn there nose up at this excellent cask.

Product Details

Origin: North Shore, Islay, Scotland

Type/Varietal: Malt

Alcohol Content: 53.9%

SKU: #1715666