Scotch Whisky Evaluation: Caol Ila 1969 Connoisseurs Alternative 17 12 months Outdated
A 1969 classic whisky from Islay’s Caol Ila Distillery bottled by unbiased bottler Gordon & MacPhail as a part of their famend Connoisseurs Alternative collection. This Caol Ila was bottled at 17 years outdated, with the fashion of cask maturation unknown.
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Mark Bostock, a whisky fanatic specializing in unbiased bottlings.
A 1969 classic whisky from Islay’s Caol Ila Distillery bottled by unbiased bottler Gordon & MacPhail as a part of their famend Connoisseurs Alternative collection. This Caol Ila was bottled at 17 years outdated, with the fashion of cask maturation unknown. Bottled at 40% ABV.
An fragrant exploration of smoke, its initially fairly acrid, sooty, and tarry, however turns into lighter over time if allowed to breathe, with aromas of first gunpowder then candy cigar smoke. There are notes of earthy peat, with hints of turmeric or liquorice root, alongside notes of leather-based, waxy polish, and gun oil. There are undertones of sweeter white pepper, vanilla, and inexperienced fruits.
Opens with a wave of savoury sooty smoke, mixed with an nearly greasy oily mouthfeel, though this does skinny rapidly to disclose flavours of salinity and salt, black pepper and smoked fish. These give method to an earthy mineral pushed peat, counterbalanced by citric lemon and lime, with a touch of inexperienced apple.
Lengthy, with earthy peat, cigar smoke and tobacco, black pepper, zesty lemon juice, and apple peel. These fade for slightly menthol freshness on the conclusion.
I’m a Caol Ila fan, and except for the distillery’s very accessible core vary, I feel Caol Ila’s capability to supply attention-grabbing and assorted types comes into its personal with independently bottled casks. This Caol Ila 1969 Connoisseurs Alternative provides an expertise of what a classic indie Caol Ila can supply – a shocking whisky.
Mark Bostock
Mark Bostock, an integral a part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content material writing crew since 2019, brings a real ardour for whisky, particularly unbiased bottlings, to his work. His dedication to increasing his information via attending tasting occasions and constructing his personal assortment enriches his contributions, mixing experience with enthusiasm.
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