Caol Ila 2004 Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & Macphail)

Beach aroma of brine and salt water taffy. Taste of citrus, salt, smoked herring. I can smell this all day...especially in this searing 85 degree NJ weather. Reminds me of being at the beach ( or down the shore, as we NJ folks call it). Thanks to @Dreaming-of-Islay for the pour! Really well made.

The beauty and challenge of independent bottlings is that you get distinct variations of your officially bottled, well-known single malt. On the nose, Gordon & MacPhail's 2004 Caol Ila is very briny, featuring seaweed, oysters and mineral peatiness. Honeydew melon, pickles and a touch of burned rubber lurk in the back. Sweet and sour, lightly peated and punchy aromatic flavors dominate the taste before the medium-length finish fades with over-brewed tea, salted cucumbers and white pepper. A rewarding, charismatic and notably salty experience! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]