Caol Ila 14 Years Old 1993 Pure Islay Malt (Silver Seal)

The bottler Silver Seal selected this Caol Ila, a 14 year old, distilled in 1993, bottled at 46%, one of 757 bottles. Caol Ila is an east coast Islay distillery on the strait facing Jura. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

Here the spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At 46% it is clean and coastal. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.