Every Christmas Eve, I open up a special bottle of whisky. It’s never an easy decision, but one that is always cherished–until the bottle is gone.
I’m having a difficult time deciding this year, so I thought I would enlist your help. I have narrowed it down to three, and I though we could have a little fun with it. I’m asking each one of you to vote for which one I should open. I’ll open the one that gets the most votes.
I gave careful consideration to the three whiskies that would make my “short list.” Like I said above, they need to be special. Plus, I wanted there to be a common thread to the whiskies.
With this in mind, I dug deep into the Hansell stash and picked three Gordon & Macphail “Connoisseurs Choice” whiskies. And all three were bottled more than 20 years ago, and all were bottled at 16 years of age. Now that’s special.
Here are the details on each bottle, from left to right in the picture (all bottled at 40% abv):
Dallas Dhu, distilled 1971, 16 yr. old
Caol Ila, distilled 1972, 16 yr. old
Ledaig, distilled 1973, 16 yr. old
Some additional comments on these whiskies. First, Dallas Dhu has been closed since the mid ’80s, so that one is pretty rare. That Caol Ila might be from a sherry cask (not sure), and that doesn’t happen that often. And some of those old Ledaigs can be really peaty, smoky bruisers, which is also pretty cool.
We go to my mother-in-law’s on Christmas Eve for dinner. When I return, I’ll tally up the votes and open up the whisky with the most votes. Then, I’ll toast to all of you, while admiring the lights on the Christmas tree and the presents underneath it.
So, which bottle should I open? And why?
As the first voter, i would choose the Caol Ila. Islay is perfect for winter.
I have to agree with the caol ila, especially if it is coming from the sherry cask, i just had the gordon mac phail single barrel from coal ila last night and it was an amazing 12 year old.
Caol Ila gets my vote too.
I think you should open all 3 and send samples out to all your loyal readers
No? Shame. I’d have to vote for the Ledaig then.
I must be the first dissenter.
Christmas Eve. Chilly outside, maybe snowy. Fireplace (if you have one). Go for the smoke everytime: Ledaig.
I agree with all of you guys… Caol Illa will have my vote, it seems pretty special and it’s the perfect dram for winter (at least for me!).
I think I’ll be joining John in his Islay savour, but with the commercial but yummy Caoil Ila 12Yo after dinner… but right before dinner a High Land Park
John,
You’ve got a full day of food and merriment…..go with the bold Ledaigs, it’ll put a snap back in your palate.
enjoy your holidays,
Dave Staab
Caol Ila for me as well…
That is a tough choice, If the Caol Ila is from a Sherry cask it would have my vote (Gotta love sherry and smoke). But I think I will cast a vote for the Dallas Dhu, First because I have never tried that distilllery and want to here what they are like. And second it look’s nice and dark (spicy maybe).
But like I said tough choice.
Enjoy, Lance
All great choices but I vote for Ledaig for the following reason:
The current bottling is also 16 yr although bottled at 43% and it would be interesting to compare. Much has changed in the world from 1973 to now (global warming, pollution, etc.) and I wonder how the taste profile has been effected.
Also i love the spicy, pepperiness of Ledaig.
Have a great holiday!
Caol Ila would be my choice too John, especially if it’s from a sherry cask. May I recommend the Cain Habano 6 X 60 (with the white band) to go with it. It is a very strong but very enjoyable cigar.
Merry Christmas!
Amit.
I’d have to go with the Caol Ila as well. However, I would not turn away from any of them!
Happy Holidays!
Paul
John I think your choices are win-win-win, but I’d go with the Dallas Dhu, which often have a chocolaty sweet character. I think of the bunch, the Dallas Dhu would be most consistent with the other flavors of the table. And Dallas Dhu is appropriate for toasting ghosts of Christmas-past as this distillery is no longer operating. It’s a tough call though, the Caol Ila is intriguing. The Caol Ila in fact is also from a long gone Bulloch Lade distillery. 1972 was the last year of distillation, then it was completely demolished. Production in the re-built distillery did not resume until 1974 under the stewardship of Evan Cattanach, one of the grand old gentlemen of Diageo.
PS. Interesting historical note: the temporary shut down of Caol Ila was a factor leading to the production starting in 1972 of the legendary highly peated Brora SMSWs which are now prized. This was necessary because of the need for peated components in popular blends.
Dallas Dhu unless you’re having smoked turkey for dinner (or a cigar.)
Difficult choice, a Dallas Dhu (a malt of heavenly proportions with tons of fruit and a spicy complexity), a caol ila from the old distillery (which may also be from a sherry cask) or a Ledaig from the legendary 1973-year.
I would guess that all three may be exceptional, but that the Ledaig migth be a bit better. The caol ila may be all over the place, but the Dallas Dhu is the safe bet (as one said, it is probably the most consistent).
My choice would the Ledaig, never been too fond of Caol Ila – and I´ve had a few CI.
Tough choise, I wouldn’t be able to contain myself and would have gone for all three at one time or another. I would be cuorious of the sherried Caol Isla, but would have ended with the peaty smoky one I don’t know from before at all.
The Ledaig. Reason: unknown distillery and peat and smoke
Such an old ConnChoice brown label is (almost) always a good choice. Almost because I once tasted one or two samples that tasted dull. But that shouldnt be the problem with these three fine examples!
Good choice, John.
I would prefer the Ledaig for it should be the most complex of the three. With a slight hint of iodine, like some of the old Ardbegs coming from that period had? Please, tell me if I was right in the end.
Dont forget to open the Caol Ila next Xmas… The Dallas dhu alas, I consider a bit risky – can be a real treat, or not!
Wish You a merry christmas,
and happy dramming…
greetings, Ingo from Berlin
I’d have to go with the Ledaig
reason: Seems like 72-74 were fantastic years at Tobermory, only had a couple from those years, but they have been fantastic drams. This one, being 16yo, should also have more destillery character left in it, than some of it’s older brothers – quite interesting IMO…and again it’s the odd choice among these 3 – and I like that
Dram on, Claus – Denmark
I’ll vote for the Ledaig, but it would be truly special to open all three now.
I’d like to see you open the Dallas Dhu, since I have an Old Malt Cask from the same year but not bottled until 36 yo, and I’d love to compare my notes on it to your notes on its earlier bottled brother.
Personally, it’ll be some of the 2008 single cask Midleton for me too, and if I’ve been a good boy, Santa (or my father on this occasion, as on all of them!) may graciously extend me a dram of his Old Comber.
After that, no point in wasting the great stuff, so we’ll drop back to the merely good – Locke’s Grand Crew of course, Black Bush, and some goji-berry infused Antrim poitin.
caol ila for me…
I think it may be time to give Dallas its “Dhu.”
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Todd, BigMac: good insight as to the history of the distilleries at that time.
Sam: bad pun. You’ve been hanging around me too long!
I’ll do a tally on Saturday morning and see where the scores are at that time.
I am not sure if the Caol Ila is sherried–I think all those bottles were caramel colored. They look pretty much the same in color.
Islay for the winter! Caol Ila!
I’ll join the crowd (who have excellent taste):
Winter = Islay = Caol Ila
The Dallas Dhu definitely! Looks like a sherry cask and you know the gordon macphail bottlings of dallas dhu are incredibly good(1981 and 82) Go with something really special!
Sounds boring, but Caol Ila would be the winner for me.
Save the Dallas for another special moment.
Ledaig was never a favorite of mine, but obviously can’t comment on that particular bottle.
Me, I have acquired a Bruichladdich Blacker Still, so I will slowly sip this bottle empty. Wonderful sherry.
Caol Ila please.
All 3 whiskies are interesting and if you can’t decide opening the 3 bottles at the same time, I would be interested in knowing your appreciation of the Ledaig distilled in its greatest year. A big suprise to end up this surprising year?
Alternatively, throw a dice: 1-2: Dallas Dhu, 3-4: Caol Ila, 5-6 Ledaig.
Caol Ila ‘72. I was born that year.
Caol Ila,a sure winner
John,
Dallas Dhu. What time should I be over to help?
Oh, that’s a hard one, but I think I would choose the Caol Ila, especially if there is a possibility it had rested in a sherry cask.
CAVEAT: however, if it is snowy or cold on Christmas eve, then those smoky,peaty notes from the Ledaig should be savored instead!
I’d be most interested in hearing about the Dallas Dhu, so that gets my vote.
Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy the bottle and the holidays John!
Holysinner, thanks!
And let me say to everyone: I wish you all lived nearby, because I would share this with you and we would empty the bottle.
John,
The Dallas Dhu seems appropriate only if this particular Christmas Eve is especially important, because of its (increasing) rarity.
My vote is conditional: Ledaig (robust peat) if you need to mellow out after getting home; Coal Ila (with sherry further softening its north coast subtlety) if you come home already mellow.
I wouldn’t have made it conditional except that you’re considering the votes after getting back from dinner. Either way, happy holidays to you and yours!
Clarity: In the Ledaig case, there are times when we need a cathartic dram.
Patrick, I would have thrown a dice, but thankfully, I have you and the rest of the gang here. The whisky with the biggest vote gets it.
Mark, yes, Dallas Dhu is becoming very rare and expensive. And try to find one this young. In this case, young might be a good thing.
Caol Ila – if it’s from a sherry cask. Otherwise, I’d go with the Dallas Dhu. Choices, choices, choices. I PITY you John
Hello John, I haven’t raised my voice here before, I usually just listen, but in the spirit of the holidays I’d like to wish all here a Happy Holidays & A Merry New Year!, and cast my vote for the G&M Ledaig,
The Dallas Dhu I’d save for the 4th of July, fruity and spicy malt to go with the fireworks. The Caol Ila (pre-1972-4), I’m hard pressed to find one that I can’t say something good about. (Its one of my top favorite distilleries as is the 72-3 Ledaigs, but (there’s always a “but” in there somewhere isn’t there.)) I’ve yet to have a 1972-3 Ledaig G&M bottling I haven’t Loved and would recommend whole-heartedly, and I do so here.
P.S. my nom-de-plume “bookman”, before you ask to put a tenner down on a pony in the next race, let me say, I’m an accountant and my ”hobbies” are bookbinding and whisky, so I got saddled with the nickname long ago.
I vote for the Dallas Dhu
This is probably screw capped whisky, I wish they become posh again
Macdeffe
Hy John,
Drink the Coal Ila
Sell the Dallas Dhu
and give me the Ledaig !
Have a nice christmas
Hmmm…difficult choice. I’d go for the Ledaig. Reason? I like my wintry drams peaty and oily, that rules out Dallas Dhu (open that on Easter Sunday perhaps – as resurrection dram!). Caol Ila would fit perfectly, but Ledaig sounds more intriguing (only had a sample of the 10yo once at the distillery, so-so quality).
As to your parents: tell them it’s medicine for your sinuses (like Laphroaig during Prohibition)!
Blessed Christmas, Wolfgang
Even if now I’ve got somewhat tired of peated whiskies, I’d open the Caol Ila: I remember one of the first single malt I savoured was a G&M Caol Ila (not the Connoisseur Choice, but a “white label with brown lettering” bottling), and I was really pleased with it, I still fondly remember that bottle!
Fabio
I had a taste of a Dallas Dhu once and I’ve stayed away since…though nice museum distillery. I haven’t had a lot of Ledaig, but I know I like it, but I have to go with Caol Ila! It always makes my day better.
Ledaig and then toast Michael, Derek and all the fine folks at G&M for aging and bottling such great whisky!
I would like to vote for the Caol Ila.
This is like a good Christmas whisky should taste.
Slante!
Caol Ila; at that age and possible sherry cask, that’s a treat!
I vote for the Dallas Dhu for no other reason than I am most curious to read your impressions of it (not sure why that is).
Ledaig, woodstove and peat go hand in hand.