Caol Ila 16 Years Old 2007 Cask #321887 (Best Dram)

From the bottler Best Dram, a 16 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2007, from cask 321887, bottled at 54.3%, one of 262 bottles. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Here the spirit was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of orchard fruit building as the peat turns gentle and coastal. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

At 54.3% without water it is rich and full. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a dry, nutty, savoury depth from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.