Caol Ila 17 Years Old 2008 Caoly Grail (VAME Malts)

A 17 year old Caol Ila from the bottler VAME Malts, bottled at 57.7%, one of 51 bottles. Caol Ila is a maritime malt, matured within sound of the sea. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of orchard fruit building as the peat turns gentle and coastal. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

At cask strength 57.7% it is muscular. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a creamy oak note. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.