Caol Ila 17 Years Old 2007 Cask #230850-51 (Murray McDavid)

The independent Murray McDavid bottled this Caol Ila, a 17 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 230850-51, bottled at 55.7%, one of 182 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

The spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip, the smoke now mellow. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

At a natural 55.7% it is full and oily. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.