Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2014 Cask #303408 & 303410 (Hannah Whisky Merchants Ltd)

A Caol Ila of a 9 year old chosen by the bottler Hannah Whisky Merchants Ltd, distilled in 2014, from cask 303408 & 303410, bottled at 50.5%, one of 404 bottles. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

Here the spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

At 50.5%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.