Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2008 Cask #1822 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

The bottler Alistair Walker Whisky Company released this Caol Ila, a 15 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 1822, bottled at 51.2%, one of 239 bottles. Caol Ila is a maritime malt, matured within sound of the sea. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit meeting the spirit. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

At its natural 51.2% it is concentrated. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.