Another lovely Caol Ila bottling, forming a part of Gordon and MacPhail’s Connoisseurs Choice range, which was revamped in 2018.

This particular bottling comes from Islay distillery, Caol Ila. The spirit has been aged for 17 years, first distilled in the year 2000 and bottled in February 2018. The whisky was matured in a single first-fill former Bourbon barrel.

This lovely dram possesses notes of burnt oak, sweet corn, tropical fruit, vanilla, nuts, honey, charcoal, flinty peat and overripe banana.

Bottled at a robust strength of 57.5% ABV, this is a powerful dram with intense flavours.

A wonderful example of good, simple Islay whisky.

Glen Grant is known as a bit of an elder statesman of the whisky world, shining at great age, and this bottling does not buck the trend. A 1997 vintage that has been held in a refill American oak hogshead, this dram has had plenty of time to gain complexity and character.

The whisky is floral and somewhat spicy, with prickling notes of pepper, chili and cinnamon on show. These flavours are joined by a deep, creamy vanilla, some honeydew melon, peaches, bright oak, chocolate, plums, apples and pears.

This bottling is presented at a formidable 59.3% ABV, and without chill filtration or colouration, ensuring the drinker gets the full experience.

 OUR PHILOSOPHY

Since 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has been trusted with new-make spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries. Developing these long-standing relationships are as important to us today as it was a century ago.

Each distillery produces a unique spirit, created using three simple ingredients: malted barley, water and yeast. The spirit’s characteristics are determined by many factors such as the dimensions and design of the copper stills, and of course the oak cask that nurtures the spirit during maturation.

We carefully select wood that will complement and nurture the spirit. Our Sherry casks are made in Jerez, Spain, to exacting specifications and seasoned before being shipped to Scotland. Meanwhile, our local partners, Speyside Cooperage, help us source the highest quality ex-bourbon casks from North America.

It is this cask curation that allows us to consistently deliver our range of perfectly balanced whiskies, which will only carry the Gordon & MacPhail name when four generations of experience deems them ready.

The perfect introduction to our portfolio, our Discovery range has been created to provide an introduction to single malt whiskies from some of Scotland’s most admired distilleries. Each expression sits within one of the bold flavour profiles of ‘Sherry’, ‘Smoky’ or ‘Bourbon’, making these single malts ideal for the whisky-lover who enjoys exploration through flavour and character.

Discovery
The perfect introduction to our portfolio, the Discovery range provides single malt whiskies from some of Scotland’s most admired distilleries.

Each expression sits within the bold flavor profiles of either 'Sherry', 'Smoky', or 'Bourbon'. 

Ideal choice for the whisky-lover who enjoys exploration through flavor and character.

A successful example of a 'modern' sherryed single malt whisky, this 10-year-old Macduff from Gordon & MacPhail. Aroma and taste are uncomplicated, with clearly recognizable sherry tones.

TASTING NOTES