Caol Ila 6 Years Old 2018 Benchmark (Murray McDavid)

A Caol Ila of a 6 year old chosen by the independent Murray McDavid, distilled in 2018, bottled at 54.7%, one of 313 bottles. Caol Ila is prized for a smoke that leans to lemon and olive oil rather than tar. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

It was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. In these extractive early years the oak surrenders vanillin as vanilla and cis oak lactones as coconut, while guaiacol carries a vivid, lemony peat smoke. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At 54.7%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with plum and red berry from the cask. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.