Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2003 Cask #302465 (LMDW)

A Caol Ila of a 15 year old chosen by the bottler La Maison du Whisky, distilled in 2003, from cask 302465, bottled at 54.2%, one of 282 bottles. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

This was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed and ellagitannin tannins lend a polished, drying frame to the smoke. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Undiluted at 54.2%, it is powerful. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.