Caol Ila 14 Years Old 2008 Cask #2806 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

A Caol Ila of a 14 year old chosen by the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, distilled in 2008, from cask 2806, bottled at 51%, one of 420 bottles. Caol Ila is prized for a smoke that leans to lemon and olive oil rather than tar. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

Undiluted at 51%, it is powerful. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a creamy oak note. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.