Caol Ila 17 Years Old 2007 Cask #3 (Signatory)

A 17 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2007 from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, from cask 3, bottled at 57.8%, one of 673 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

It was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

At 57.8% without water it is rich and full. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.