Product Description

One of just 201 bottles charged from a refill American hogshead and bottled at 60.2%, this is a beautifully-matured Caol Ila. The peat fire of its youth now burned to embers, its smoked-meat foundation is layered with thick, ripe-fruit flavours and sweet-cereal notes, while a touch of light brine highlights its dark cocoa depths.

Style

4
Body
4
Richness
3
Smoke
3
Sweetness

Character

Toffee
Orange
Smoke
Dark Chocolate
Apple
Salt (powder)

Product Facts

Bottler
Gordon & MacPhail
Age
36 Year Old
Vintage
1981
Bottling Date
October 2018
No of Bottles
201
Country
Scotland
Region
Islay
Cask Type
Refill American oak Hogshead
Cask Number
18/103
Chill Filtered
No
Colouring
No

Caol Ila 1981 36 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice TWE Exclusive

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gordon & MacPhail

70cl / 60.2%

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Packed with care
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Returns

30-Day returns policy

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Disclaimer

While we endeavour to provide full and accurate information on our website, there may be occasions where producers have updated their recipe or failed to provide full details of their ingredients and processes. This may affect factors including the product style and allergen information, and we would advise that you always check the label and not solely rely on the information presented here. If you are at all uncertain about a product then please contact our customer service team before purchase.

Tasting Notes

Tasting notes by Billy ABbott
- Nose
  Sea shells, sea shores and rubber-soled plimsolls. Strands of tropical fruit rise through the gaps, pineapple chased by lemon and lime. Peaches float around the edges and medicinal peat burns on a nearby bonfire. Oily notes develop: linseed and smoked-fish-infused olive. A second wave of fruit arrives: apples, pears, more pineapple and citrus, and ripe mango. Hiding right at the back are waxed jackets, oiled leather and a handful of sherbet lemons. With time in the glass, the medicinal notes subside, pushing the waxy, fruity notes to the front and revealing an earthiness behind.
- Palate
  An initial oily sweetness is washed away by brine and orchard fruit: stewed apples and brown-sugar-dusted pears. A fountain of oaky spice pushes through the centre, along with hints of mint and menthol. Toffee and creamy coffee follow the spice and lead to a citrusy core of stewed orange and lemon zest. Underneath everything sits a pool of savoury earth, cocoa and salted caramel. Smoke is well integrated, appearing in peaty puffs in between layers of sweet and savoury flavour.
- Finish
  Sweet apple and pear fade slowly, leaving glacier mints, damp earth and sweet oak spice. Tingling menthol remains.
Tasting notes from the producer:
- Delicate smoky aromas with nuances of maple-cured bacon and digestive biscuit. Sweet and creamy; flambéed banana opens into salted dark chocolate flavours. Long, lingering bonfire ember notes to finish.