Caol Ila Hermitage Wood Finish 2001 Private Collection (Gordon & MacPhail)

Part of the Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection, this bottling of thirteen year old Caol Ila was aged in first-fill red wine barrels, which were sourced from a distinguished negociant of France's Rhone Valley, Guigal. The barrels, fashioned from French oak, come from Hermitage, a small appellation in Northern Rhone with a viticultural history dating back to 600 BCE. Hermitage is known for its Syrahs, which is the only red grape allowed in the appellation. On the Scottish side of things, the distillate comes from Caol Ila in Port Askaig, known for its medium-peated style of whiskies. The malt was distilled on August 29th, 2001, and bottled at 45% ABV in April of 2015.