Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2008 Cask #4037055 (Duncan Taylor)

The Octave

700ml / 54.1%

Single Malt

$263

The bottler Duncan Taylor picked this Caol Ila, a 15 year old, at 54.1%. The peat here is bright and lemony over an oily, maritime body. It is the most independently bottled of all the Islay malts. A workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. This is a bright, coastal Islay malt of poise.

Only 2 left in stock

Only 2 left

SKU CIL408 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

A 15 year old Caol Ila from the bottler Duncan Taylor, from cask 4037055, bottled at 54.1%, one of 90 bottles. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

The spirit was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, building a refined, maritime peat. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip, the smoke now mellow. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine.

At a full 54.1% it is bold and oily. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a creamy oak note. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.