Caol Ila 14 Years Old

Four Corners of Scotland Collection

700ml / 53%

Single Malt

$291

Caol Ila, a distillery release, a 14 year old, at 53%. Its clean Islay smoke runs to lemon, brine and a soft oil. The distillery looks out to the Paps of Jura. The spirit is matured largely on the mainland. Its casks mature within sound of the sea. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. This is the lighter, citrus driven face of Islay.

In stock

Available

SKU CIL021 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

Caol Ila from the distillery, a 14 year old, at 53%, 3000 bottles in all. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

This was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A long spell in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the spirit gently. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

At a hearty 53% it carries real weight. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.