Caol Ila Connoisseurs Choice Single Malt Scotch Whisky 16 Year Old · 1969 Vintage
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This extremely rare 16 year old Islay single malt was laid to rest at the Caol Ila distillery in 1969 and bottled for Gordon & MacPhail's Connoisseurs Choice series in the mid-1980's.
I have had a few modern expressions from this Islay distillery so I was keen to try one from a few decades ago.
The nose didn't disappoint! Fresh yet earthy with smoke, peat, with nuts and peaches. Some tar and old leather and a little salt. A lot going on, and every bit of it brilliant. The taste continues where the nose left off. Quite light, with a creamy nuttiness underlying a gentle peatiness. Hints of leather and sweet vanilla. Every now and then a waft of smoke comes past. Truly fantastic! The finish lasts forever, and is warmer and heavier than the taste. The smoke and the peat become stronger, but not overwhelming. The leather and saltiness continue, along with the creamy nuttiness.
A fitting end to a fantastic malt. How the hell this whisky packs this much flavour into 40%, I have no idea. This makes some Cask Strength whiskies seem a little pale and boring.
Product Details
Tasting Notes
Colour
Golden amber with coppery undertones, a warm, honeyed glow.
Nose
Fresh yet earthy, this nose blends peat smoke with bright nuttiness—peaches and almonds interweave with tar and old leather, finished by a salty maritime edge.
Palate
Light on the palate, with a creamy nuttiness underpinning a gentle peat. Hints of leather and sweet vanilla emerge, while occasional wisps of smoke drift by. A touch of salt and subtle fruit add brightness, keeping the texture silky and refined.
Finish
An endless, warming finish that lingers long after the swallow. Smoke and peat intensify, yet never overwhelm, while leather and salt sustain a maritime glow. Creamy nuttiness persists, with hints of vanilla that fade into a refined, sea-warmed memory.
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