2003 Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Islay, Scotland

2003 Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila, Bottled 2015 12 Year Old 46% Abv 

Caol Ila 2003/2015 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice, 1st fill bourbon barrels) 

Colour: Pale gold. 

Nose: Instant leafy/coastal smoky goodness. A little fresh butter, some fresh almonds, and a feeling of smoky cider. It’s a rather soft one, very easy, and most appealing.  A longer ageing seems to have imparted more mineral notes, as well as a ‘wider’ coastalness. Seaweed, fresh baguette, then rather citrus, as expected. Lemons and  grapefruits.

Mouth: Fresh, fruity, and ‘finely’ smoky. Nice notes of cider apples and even pears.

 Finish: Medium, sweet and fruity. Light smoke and bonbons. A perfect balance between coastal smoke and zesty fruitiness.