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Maximum of 2 bottles per customer.

Caol Ila 8 years 2014 - 2023 Benchmark

Caol Ila is one of Islay’s most beloved distilleries, known for its fresh, maritime peat smoke and lively character. This young expression by Murray McDavid, released under their Benchmark series, reveals a playful and unusual side of Caol Ila, thanks to a unique finish in Tokaji casks – sweet Hungarian wine barrels rarely seen in the whisky world.

The result is a smoky dram with an unexpected sweet twist. The fusion of briny smoke and honeyed wine influence creates an intriguing whisky full of contrast and character. Perfect for adventurous peat lovers looking to explore something different.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A fresh sea breeze with notes of lemon peel, bonfire smoke and briny iodine. Behind that, apricot compote, honey and a touch of white grapes come forward.

Palate

Juicy and smoky with a playful balance between salty peat and sweetness. Think toasted marshmallows, citrus fruits, peach and a hint of spicy oak. The Tokaji cask brings an elegant fruitiness that beautifully contrasts the smoke.

Finish

Long and layered. A first wave of peat smoke gives way to lingering notes of honey, golden raisins and a light minerality. A smoky fruit basket that lingers on the palate.

Caol Ila Distillery

Caol Ila Distillery is located on the picturesque east coast of the island of Islay, overlooking the Sound of Islay, a strait that separates Islay from Jura. Founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson, the distillery has a rich history and is the largest distillery on Islay.

A specific feature of Caol Ila is the production of both peated and unpeated single malts. The distillery is particularly famous for its heavily peated whiskies with elegant, maritime influences. The whiskies often have a distinctive flavour profile with notes of smoke, sea salt, citrus, and a subtle sweetness.

Caol Ila traditionally uses copper pot stills and water from nearby Loch nam Ban. The whiskies are mainly matured in ex-bourbon casks, which contributes to the smooth, balanced flavours.

With its unique combination of tradition, craftsmanship and distinctive flavour profile, Caol Ila remains a respected name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.

Murray McDavid

Murray McDavid is an independent Scottish bottler founded in 1994 by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin, and Gordon Wright. The company is known for its innovative approach to whisky, focusing on selecting high-quality casks and experimenting with unique maturation processes.

Murray McDavid bottles whisky from different distilleries, both single malts and blended malts, and often introduces secondary maturities in different types of casks, such as wine, rum or sherry casks, to create complex flavour profiles. They have several series such as "Mission Gold," "Benchmark," and "Cask Craft."

An important aspect of Murray McDavid is their focus on transparency. They provide detailed information about the origin of the whisky, the casks used and the ageing time, which makes them popular among connoisseurs and collectors. In 2013, Murray McDavid was acquired by Aceo Ltd, which expanded their ability to continue producing unique whiskies. Murray McDavid's bottlings are often praised for their quality and the creative way they combine traditional whisky techniques with modern innovations.