Caol Ila 7 Years Old 2012 Cask #325735 (Best Dram)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler Best Dram, a 7 year old, distilled in 2012, from cask 325735, bottled at 55.9%, one of 330 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

The spirit was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, building a refined, maritime peat. A fortified or wine cask gave it a fruity, spiced depth. These first years are extractive, the oak giving lactones as coconut and vanillin as vanilla beneath a sharp, citrussy smoke. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style.

At 55.9%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.