Go Shopping
New Products
Boutinot, Cotes du Rhone 'Les Cerisiers' Rose - 2009 [France]
£7.99
Our most popular Rose, this is a delicate and spicy wine made from the Grenache Gris grape. Delicious.
find out more
Villa Schinosa, 'Rosalavi' - 2008 [Italy]
£10.75
These Italians sure how to name their pink wine! Made from 'Bombino Nero' this pale pink beauty has a dinstinctive aroma and a fresh, creamy mouthfeel.
find out more
Castillo del Moro, Rose - 2009 [Spain]
£5.49
Who says you can't get good rose for under six quid? This red-fruit-laden quaffer will prove the naysayers wrong!
find out more
Gordon and Macphail, Connoisseurs' Choice Caol Ila 1996
Online Catalogue | Sipped and Savoured | Gordon and Macphail, Connoisseurs' Choice Caol Ila 1996
Tasted January 2009
The problem with whisky tastings is that you have to be really careful about what you drink if you've got to drive the van home afterwards. In fact, I play it safe and sniff only. This led to trouble last week when driving the van home accompanied by the unmistakable peaty whiff of this Islay malt emanating from the dirty glasses behind me. I couldn't very well go home without taking a bottle for myself, could I?
Caol Ila is a distillery on the East side of Islay and whilst it's name is well known, it has until recently been difficult to come by
|  |
|
 |
Grape: Doh!
Region: Islay, Scotland
Whisky making: The malt is bought in from the Port Ellen maltings. This Gordon and Macphail bottling was kept in refill sherry casks in Elgin before bottling at the end of last year.
ABV: 43%
|
|
Tasting Note
It's a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde this whisky. On the nose it is full of smoky, peaty character, although not overly iodinic. An un-cut palate recapitulates this theme, with a real woodsmoke edge. But underlying all this is a deliciously sweet note, which is on song as soon as water is added, bringin out some floral character and a touch of sea salt.
If you like this, why not try…Connoisseurs' Choice Ardbeg 1991 is the obvious, if more powerful choice, but you could also try Ledaig 1990 for something a little less peaty.
|
|
|
|
Online Catalogue | Sipped and Savoured | Gordon and Macphail, Connoisseurs' Choice Caol Ila 1996
