Mega-independent bottlers-slash-retailers Gordon & MacPhail are releasing a few new private bottlings this season, notably featuring this new 8-year expression of Caol Ila, served up for your approval.

The initial nose is a hefty dose of peat and smoke, and though the color is just the palest gold, it hints at a mightily big, smoky, and oily Scotch indeed.

But the body is quite unexpected, with a far lighter touch of smoke and a more powerful kick of fruit and sweetness than I’d thought likely. The balance is surprisingly sophisticated for a whisky so young, both easy drinking but lush with hints of dried cherries, violets, lavender, and fresh cut grass. There’s a hint of coal alongside the peat smoke, too… very subtle, but it comes out in the finish.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this whisky and, should I ever come across one, would happily add a bottle to my collection.

92 proof.

A- / $65 / gordonandmacphail.com

Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila 8 Years Old

$65

9

Rating

9.0/10

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