Caol Ila 17 Years Old 2008 Cask #306604 (Best Dram)

The bottler Best Dram selected this Caol Ila, a 17 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 306604, bottled at 51.9%, one of 262 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

The spirit was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

At a full 51.9% it is bold and oily. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with a dry, nutty edge from the cask. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.