Caol Ila 14 Years Old 2007 Cask #307363 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

The bottler Alistair Walker Whisky Company released this Caol Ila, a 14 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 307363, bottled at 56.8%, one of 283 bottles. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

This was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

At 56.8%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.