Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2007 Cask #313157 (Gordon & Company)

The bottler Gordon & Company released this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 313157, bottled at 55.5%, one of 321 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

The spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At a hearty 55.5% it carries real weight. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with a creamy oak note. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.