Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2007 Apothecary’s Notebook (Wemyss)

The bottler Wemyss Malts released this Caol Ila, a 15 year old, distilled in 2007, bottled at 57.2%, one of 268 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

This was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A long spell in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the spirit gently. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.2%, it is intense. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a light bourbon sweetness. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.