Caol Ila 1981 Aged 37 Years Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Mackillop’s Choice Cask 3245 (700ml)

“Mackillop’s Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch Whiskies drawn from individual casks. Founded in 1996 by Angus Dundee Distillers (owner of the Glencadam and Tomintoul distilleries). It is named after Lorne Mackillop. Lorne Mackillop is the heir to the chief of the Mackillop Clan, which was all but wiped out by the English in the aftermath of the battle of Culloden in 1745 during the Jabobite Rebellion.

Lorne selects the casks that are bottled in the Mackillop’s Choice range. It is a range of specially selected single malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.

The Caol Ila Distillery, The name Caol Ila comes from the Gaelic ‘Caol Ila’ meaning ‘Sound of Islay’ which is the stretch of water which separates Islay from Jura. The distillery was founded in 1846 and has been very successful through its long history. The distillery draws water from the nearby loch which is surrounded by myrtle and heather. As did most distilleries it closed during the Great Depression from 1930 to 1937 and was reconstructed from 1972 to 1974. Juggling between old traditional methods and modern methods of using new technology. This distillery produces whiskies that have chocolate, citrus and floral notes as well as tangy and peaty, which is typical of an Islay whisky.

This Caol Ila was distilled in 1981 and has spent no less than 37 years in cask number 3245 which was a single refill Bourbon hogshead. Bottled in June 2018 with an outturn of only 183 bottles. It was bottled at 56.1% ABV and boasts no colouring or chill-filtering. A brilliant single cask offering from MacKillop’s Choice and Caol Ila.