G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years

This G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years is not the one I talked about in the 2006 Signatory Caol Ila 12 Years Review. This is a much more recent release from the good folks at Gordon and Macphail, an independent bottler I’m a huge fan of. Though, to be honest, the only reason I picked it up is it’s aged for 13 years.

G and M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years Review

I wasn’t looking for more Caol Ila, I already have more than enough in the bunker, but I have an odd obsession with whiskies aged 13 years. It’s partially because I have a love of horror movies, Halloween and all things dark, spooky and mysterious and 13 plays into that world often.

It’s also because it’s an unusual age to see on the market. 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are super common, as are 15 and 17 to lesser extents, but 13 is not often seen. So when I see them, and they’re at a decent price for what they are, I snag them. Simple as that.

G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: Islay, Scotland

Distiller: Caol Ila
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 43%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $70

White background tasting shot with the G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“The Gordon & MacPhail Discovery range examines the core flavours at the heart of Scotch single malt whisky, and this is the headline of the Smoky side of things. A 13-year-old Caol Ila from the island of Islay, this is as typical a dram as you can get from the island, packed with sweet fruit and dark peat smoke.” – Gordon and Macphail

Tasting Notes

EYE
Golden honey

NOSE
Salted butter baguette, smoke, honey, vanilla taffy, honeydew, graham, spice, lemon peel. Soft “green” notes pop in and out adding to the interesting character of this whisky. It’s oddly soft for a Caol Ila, but comes across as elegant and refined instead of light.

PALATE
Salted butter baguette, smoke, honey, vanilla taffy, honeydew, graham, spice, lemon peel, caramel and a light chalkiness. Something different going on here, this G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years kicks up more than you might imagine and pulls together rough Islay and refined pasty style notes and weaves them together.

FINISH
Long -> Smoke, honey, vanilla, herbal and spice that fades out to a dessert-style profile that just gives and gives. The finish is stunning.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, med-full body, and a slightly oily feel.

G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score

This is tasty. I’m loving everything from the spicy pops to the fruity sweetness to the warm decadent sweetness. From nose to finish this is an inviting, intriguing and well balanced Scotch. The smoke doesn’t come over the top, but instead stays as this constant, steady, warm beat that sits just behind the lead and pulls other notes through.

My one, real, criticism, if you want to call it that, is I’m missing the crispness that’s usually found in Caol Ila. This G&M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years is a bit more buttery, “flabby” if you will, compared to any of the other Caol Ilas already reviewed, or yet to be reviewed, in this quick Caol Ila run I’m doing. It’s not bad mind you, just, different. And that’s ok because in this case, different is good.

SCORE: 3.5/5

G and M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years Label

G and M Discovery Caol Ila 13 Years Review $70

Summary

Leans more on the buttery and decadent side compared to the usual crisp and sharp style we’ve come to know and love in Caol Ila. An interesting new perspective that I’m enjoying.