Caol Ila 7 Years Old 2015 (Hepburn’s Choice)

A Caol Ila drawn by the independent Hunter Laing, distilled in 2015, bottled at 46%, one of 150 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

It was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus.

At 46% it is clean and coastal. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with a light bourbon sweetness. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.