Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #312773 (Connoisseurs Choice)

Connoisseurs Choice

700ml / 57.7%

Single Malt

$199

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Caol Ila, a 13 year old, at 57.7%. Smoked lemon, sea spray and a soft oil run through it. Founded at Port Askaig in 1846, it is Islay’s biggest distillery. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. This is the lighter, citrus driven face of Islay.

In stock

Available

SKU CIL541 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

A 13 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2008 from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, from cask 312773, bottled at 57.7%, one of 262 bottles. Caol Ila is the quiet giant of Islay, vast yet refined. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

It was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, building a refined, maritime peat. 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. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

At 57.7% without water it is rich and full. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a light bourbon sweetness. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.