Caol Ila 17 Years Old JM Fine Malt Selection (James MacArthur)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler James MacArthur, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

Here the spirit was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, giving a clean, lemony peat. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of orchard fruit building as the peat turns gentle and coastal. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

At 43% it is soft, oily and bright. A smoky, briny coastal character, with honeyed oak underneath. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.