Caol Ila 14 Years Old 2008 Masters Of Magic (High Spirits’ Collection)

A 14 year old Caol Ila from the bottler High Spirits' Collection, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is a maritime malt, matured within sound of the sea. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

This was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a light bourbon sweetness. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.