Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2001 Gordon & Macphail Hermitage Wine Casks Finish

This 14 Year Old Caol Ila Hermitage Wine Casks Finish from 2001 was released in Gordon & Macphail’s Private Collection series, in which only exclusive casks that were chosen by the G&M management are bottled. A Caol Ila on wine? Really? Hmm. Let us give it a try.

As soon as I pour this into my glass, it is clear that this is going to be something special. Ashes and peat are clearly present, but your nose’s attention is drawn towards a whole lot of fruit. It is a marmalade of red fruit, but also some green herbs. Think thyme and sage as well as a hint of selery. Reminds me a bit of broth, a touch umami.

The arrival is rather light. I would have liked a little more body. It is immediately very sweet and spicy on salt and pepper, peat and baking spices. Quite dirty on ashes and soot. I quite like this. Has a leathery streak.

In the fairly long finish, which starts honeysweet, the spices and peat take the reins again and pointedly let you know that this is an Islay whisky, lest you forget it. At the death a feisty chili pepper and some mint show themselves.

Nicely balanced malt with balls. But I must admit that I do prefer my Caol Ila on a simply and not too active bourbon cask. There has been a Caol Ila 1997 on wine casks in the same series, but I have not yet had the pleasure of trying that one.

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