Caol Ila 7 Years Old 2013 Artist Collective #4.2 (LMDW)

Artist Collective #4.2

700ml / 57.2%

Single Malt

$192

A Caol Ila of a 7 year old chosen by the bottler La Maison du Whisky, at 57.2%. The peat here is bright and lemony over an oily, maritime body. Among the most widely traded of Islay’s single malts. Founded at Port Askaig in 1846, it is Islay’s biggest distillery. This is one of the most characterful of the Islay malts.

Only 2 left in stock

Only 2 left

SKU CIL654 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler La Maison du Whisky, a 7 year old, distilled in 2013, bottled at 57.2%. Caol Ila was rebuilt in the 1970s into the large distillery it is today. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

The spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit. 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.

At 57.2%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.