Caol Ila 14 Years Old 2008 Cask #312058 (Connoisseurs Choice)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Caol Ila, a 14 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 312058, bottled at 52.8%, one of 373 bottles. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

This was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy.

At cask strength 52.8% it is muscular. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.