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)
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.
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Staff Reviews
Review Date: 01/2024
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