Caol Ila 17 Years Old 2001 Cask #308897 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 17 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2001 from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, from cask 308897, bottled at 58.9%, one of 194 bottles. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

It was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip, the smoke now mellow. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At a natural 58.9% it is full and oily. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.