Caol Ila 7 Years Old 1989 Cask #4700 – 4702 (Dun Eideann)

The bottler Dun Eideann selected this Caol Ila, a 7 year old, distilled in 1989, from cask 4700-4702, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

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. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. 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 an approachable 43% it is balanced. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.