Caol Ila 17 Years Old AtB Darkness (Atom Brands)

A 17 year old Caol Ila, from the bottler Atom Brands, bottled at 46.6%. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

The spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A first fill sherry cask drove a deep, figgy, nutty character. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of orchard fruit building as the peat turns gentle and coastal. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

At an approachable 46.6% it is balanced. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.