Caol Ila 13 Year Discovery (Gordon & Macphail)

Review #006 Alcohol Content: 43% Notes: aged 13 years, matured in ex-bourbon casks Tasted after: first tasting Appearance (no score): Light gold color. When swirled, a thick line clings to the glass; legs form slowly. Aroma: 14/20 Smoke and green pears are prominent; requires significant effort to find more, eventually revealing some green bananas and perhaps a bit of honey. The aroma is sweeter than other Caol Ila expressions I've tried. Palate: 33/40 There's a distinctive buttery quality that reminds me of Glenmorangie Signet, which blends well with the smoky peat. Notes of grapefruit and vanilla are also present. Finish: 32/40 A long finish where citrus flavor gradually intensifies. Strong bourbon spice is noticeable, along with Honey Nut Cheerios, transitioning to an ashy quality and concluding with a brief salty ethanol sting. With Water: Adding a drop of water enhances the honey sweetness. Total: 79/100 Final assessment: I spent considerably more time on this than initially planned, trying to accurately discern the aroma and flavors; they were somewhat difficult to uncover. Overall, it's a pleasant and easy-drinking dram; the complexity requires searching. I will enjoy finishing this bottle, but given its price, I'm unlikely to repurchase it when empty. Price: $80 Would recommend: perhaps Would buy: no Scoring Guide: 96-100: Perfection, exceptional, divine, a bottle to be cherished and savored, 5 stars. 90-95: Nearly perfect, truly special qualities, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to outstanding, nearly flawless, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable but not awe-inspiring, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but flawed, not likely to be bought again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, wouldn't seek it out, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or discarding, 2.5 stars or less.

NOSE Butter baguette with salt, smoke, honey, vanilla candy, melon, graham cracker, spice, and lemon rind. Faint vegetal notes intermittently appear, enhancing the whiskey's intrigue. It presents as uncharacteristically mellow for a Caol Ila, yet comes off as sophisticated and polished rather than weak. PALATE Butter baguette with salt, smoke, honey, vanilla candy, melon, graham cracker, spice, lemon rind, caramel, and a subtle chalkiness. There's an unusual character here; this aged G&M Discovery Caol Ila offers more than anticipated, blending rugged Islay elements with refined pastry-like qualities. FINISH Extensive duration -> Smoke, honey, vanilla, botanicals, and spice gradually recede into a dessert-like profile that continues to impress. The finish is outstanding.

Alright, moving up the smoke scale, this is a leap for me. With that said, I dedicated a good amount of time to getting accustomed to the scent. Initially, just a campfire. But then, apple pie, melon, and some grilled pineapple emerged. The flavor is considerably less smoky than the aroma suggested. Honey, pear, some grainy cereal notes, followed by significant bitterness in the finish. This is where the smoke lingers. Suddenly, a memory from my youth surfaced: Chloraseptic sore throat spray. My goodness, that's precisely the taste. The first time, I told myself I'd eventually appreciate some Islay varieties. The journey continues. (I don't have a sore throat today!)

A dominant peaty aroma with ample butterscotch sweetness to balance the smoke. It's notably smooth and sweet on the palate, evoking dried fruit and cereal; the peat is present but allows other flavors to emerge. The finish initially fades quickly but then persists as a gentle spicy warmth. If the goal was to highlight peat's potential, it succeeded. I expect it will satisfy both fans of smoky scotch and those exploring it.

Wonderful smell. I detect almost entirely peat, but it isn't overwhelming. It's dark and nearly understated. The flavor is actually somewhat similar, everything is quite subtle and muted for me. Peat is present but gentle, with some light sweetness and wood, but everything is quiet. The color is also light, almost as if everything was diluted, but it remains quite rich. The mild flavor seems deliberate, sophisticated.

The nose and palate are primarily pear and citrus. Smoke only appears after the alcohol burn at the very end of the finish. This creates an odd separation, as if I'm drinking two different scotches. It's not particularly complex. I'm not a major fan of Caol Ila 12 or Johnnie Walker, and this didn't change my opinion.