Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2007 Cask #301265 (Adelphi)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Adelphi bottler, distilled in 2007, from cask 301265, bottled at 52.7%, one of 308 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

This was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. 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. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine.

At cask strength 52.7% it is muscular. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.