Caol Ila – 1969-2004 35 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection (70cl, 45%)

This is a 35 year old Islay single malt from Caol Ila, distilled in 1969. Gordon & MacPhail bottled it in 2004 for their Private Collection range, in a 70cl bottle at 45% ABV. It came from a pair of refill sherry hogsheads. In 1969 the distillery was a smaller operation than today's. Before it was pulled down and rebuilt in 1972, it had two stills, both direct-fired with worm tub condensers, and it distilled its own floor-malted barley. The whisky is described as an interplay of peat, sherry and old oak flavours.