Caol Ila 15 Years Old (55.2%)

Feis Ile 2022

700ml / 55.2%

Single Malt

$262

This Caol Ila comes from the distillery, a 15 year old, at 55.2%. An elegant smoke carries grapefruit, salt and a green olive note. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. It is the most independently bottled of all the Islay malts. Its tall stills give a lighter, cleaner island spirit. This is a clean, maritime malt from the Sound of Islay.

In stock

Available

SKU CIL025 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

Caol Ila from the distillery, a 15 year old, at 55.2%, 3702 bottles in all. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

The spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed and ellagitannin tannins lend a polished, drying frame to the smoke. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

At a natural 55.2% it is full and oily. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.