Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2007 The Nectar of the Daily Drams (Daily Dram)

A Caol Ila of a 15 year old chosen by the bottler Daily Dram, distilled in 2007, bottled at 55.5%. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

It was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, building a refined, maritime peat. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip, the smoke now mellow. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass.

At a hearty 55.5% it carries real weight. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.