Caol Ila Feis Ile 2013 15 Years Old 1998

An official Caol Ila, a 15 year old, from 1998, at 56.5%, 3000 bottles in all. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

The spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At cask strength 56.5% it is muscular. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.