Caol Ila 14 Years Old 2007 Cask #311598 (Wilson & Morgan)

The Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan bottled this Caol Ila, a 14 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 311598, bottled at 57.7%, one of 260 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

This was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At a full 57.7% it is bold and oily. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.