Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2007 Cask #302315 + 302320 (Wilson & Morgan)

A 15 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2007 from the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, from cask 302315 + 302320, bottled at 55.5%, one of 549 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed and ellagitannin tannins lend a polished, drying frame to the smoke. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

At its natural 55.5% it is concentrated. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is an elegant Islay single malt.