Gordon & MacPhail bottled this Caol Ila 17 Year Old from the 2002 vintage an independent Islay single malt Scotch, matured and released by the Speyside firm rather than the distillery itself. Caol Ila is Islay’s quiet giant, and seventeen years softens its coastal peat into something layered: toasted cereal, lemon peel, and green apple over gentle smoke on the nose, then melon, black pepper, charred oak, and maritime peat across the palate. The finish runs long and smoky, brightened by citrus and a touch of sea salt. As an older independent bottling, its strength varies by release. This is a whisky for a patient Islay drinker pour it neat, and add water only a drop at a time.