Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2014 Cask #2015633 (Murray McDavid)

From the independent Murray McDavid, an 11 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2014, from cask 2015633, bottled at 57.1%, one of 290 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

It was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, shaping the lighter side of Islay. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness beneath the smoke. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.1%, it is intense. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.