Caol Ila 2012 1st-fill Sherry Hogshead #311512 - Spirit of Scotland - Gordon & MacPhail

Profile: The Caol Ila 2012 1st-fill Sherry Hogshead #311512 - Spirit of Scotland - Gordon & MacPhail at a glance

• Islay Origin: This single malt hails from the historic Caol Ila Distillery on the east coast of the Scottish island of Islay.
• 1st-fill Sherry Hogshead: Matured for over 14 years in a first-fill sherry cask—resulting in a deeply influential maturation process.
• Single Cask: Bottled from a single cask—strictly limited to just 294 bottles worldwide.
• Cask Strength: Bottled directly at a robust cask strength of 55.9% ABV.
• Natural State: Non-chill filtered and free from artificial coloring—true to the ethos of Gordon & MacPhail’s “Spirit of Scotland” range.

Portrait: What makes the Caol Ila 2012 1st-fill Sherry Hogshead #311512 - Spirit of Scotland - Gordon & MacPhail special

Islay can be rugged. Certainly windy. And anyone looking for a distillery there will sooner or later find themselves at Caol Ila—a distillery whose name evokes the Scottish coast just as vividly as its history reflects it.

Caol Ila was founded in 1846 and is located on the east coast of the island of Islay, not far from Port Askaig. The name translates roughly to "Sound of Islay" in Gaelic, referring to the strait between Islay and the neighboring island of Jura. It is a rather spectacular location for a distillery—sea views included. Whether the staff are grateful for this on a daily basis, however, is not recorded.

This single malt was distilled in 2012 and subsequently matured for over 14 years. A single first-fill sherry hogshead was selected for Gordon & MacPhail’s exclusive "Spirit of Scotland" series.

And this is where Stuart Urquhart comes in. As a member of the family behind Gordon & MacPhail, he is responsible for the careful selection of exceptional casks. This particular cask was personally curated for the series and finally bottled in 2026.

The term "first-fill" means that the sherry cask had not previously been used to mature whisky. The wood brings a wealth of experience from the world of sherry—and now gets to pass that on to an Islay single malt. Scotland and Spain united under one cask head, so to speak.

Bottled at a robust 55.9% ABV, this Caol Ila comes in at cask strength. It remains as natural as possible: non-chill filtered and with no added coloring. Its natural hue comes entirely from the maturation process.

The release is limited to just 294 bottles worldwide. This is less of a mass event and more of a highly exclusive gathering.

In short: Over 14 years of Islay character, a select sherry cask, an independent bottler, and only 294 bottles.

Or to put it another way: when Caol Ila sends out a party invitation, you really shouldn't let it end up in your spam folder.

Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 2026
Cask No.: 311512
Outturn: 294 bottles

Tasting Notes: This is how the Caol Ila 2012 1st-fill Sherry Hogshead #311512 - Spirit of Scotland - Gordon & MacPhail tastes like

• Nose: Savory notes of smoked meat meet the fruity depth of stewed apples and the tart freshness of orange peel. Creamy butterscotch adds a delicate, inviting sweetness to the bouquet.
• Palate: Distinctive peat smoke defines the palate, accompanied by a subtle spiciness. Fine notes of aniseed provide an unusual accent, lending added depth to the flavor.
• Finish: The finish is long-lasting and spicy. Towards the end, subtle roasted notes emerge—reminiscent of finely roasted coffee beans—leaving behind a pleasantly tart bitterness.