Caol Ila 2001, Hermitage Wood Finish, b.2015, Gordon & MacPhail, Private Collection, 3600 bottles, 45% abv.

Finished for 18 months in Hermitage red wine casks. Hermitage is an area in France that produces Syrah type red wines.

Nose: smoked wood, light peat, black pepper, salted ham, light fruit at the end. After a sip, a little dill, slightly more fruity.

Palate: light, smooth, initial and mid palate is cinnamon spice, mid palate is viney, a little earthy, sweet balsa wood, sweet cherry wood, applewood bacon juice, back palate is slightly salty, light peat.

Finish: short, smokey, fried bacon, light apple juice.

A pretty smooth dram, initially smokey and salty, it basically converts to wood scented fried bacon related flavors. Supposedly the last bottle in South Korea for "official" sale. Had this at Bar Factory, Seoul, South Korea.

Grade: C+

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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