Caol Ila 17 Years Old 2001 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 17 year old, distilled in 2001, bottled at 57.9%, one of 247 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

This was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pear and apple) and a waxiness, the phenols softening to a coastal whisper. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

At 57.9% without water it is rich and full. A smoky, briny coastal character, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.