Caol Ila 18 Years Old 2004 Cask #306629 (Connoisseurs Choice)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Caol Ila, an 18 year old, distilled in 2004, from cask 306629, bottled at 58.4%, one of 342 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

It was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, giving a clean, lemony peat. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pear and apple) and a waxiness, the phenols softening to a coastal whisper. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

Undiluted at 58.4%, it is powerful. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is an elegant Islay single malt.