Caol Ila 14 Years Old 2003 Cask #302327 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 14 year old Caol Ila from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, from cask 302327, bottled at 55.6%, one of 264 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

It was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

At 55.6%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.