Caol Ila 2011 Ch7 (Chapter 7 (Ch7))

From the bottler Chapter 7 (Ch7), a 9 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2011, from cask 157, bottled at 50.4%, one of 297 bottles. Caol Ila was rebuilt in the 1970s into the large distillery it is today. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

The spirit was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass.

At 50.4% without water it is rich and full. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a creamy oak note. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.