Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2007 Cask #322177 (Moon-Import)

The bottler Moon-Import bottled this Caol Ila, a 13 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 322177, bottled at 59.8%, one of 294 bottles. Caol Ila is a maritime malt, matured within sound of the sea. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

The spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

At a natural 59.8% it is full and oily. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with honeyed oak underneath. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.