Caol Ila 15 Years Old

Caol Ila, a distillery release, a 15 year old, at 61.5%. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Here the spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, giving a clean, lemony peat. A wine cask held it, layering berry fruit over the malt. 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. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

At a full 61.5% it is bold and oily. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with a spiced, dried fruit edge from the cask. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.