Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2007 Cask #300684 (The Distillers Art)

From the bottler The Distillers Art, a 13 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2007, from cask 300684, bottled at 55.4%, one of 223 bottles. Caol Ila is the quiet giant of Islay, vast yet refined. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

It was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character.

At its natural 55.4% it is concentrated. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.