Caol Ila 7 Years Old 2013 Cask #C21029 (Claxton’s)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler Claxton's, distilled in 2013, from cask C21029, bottled at 50.7%, one of 65 bottles. Caol Ila takes its name from the Gaelic for the Sound of Islay. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

It was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, shaping the lighter side of Islay. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness beneath the smoke. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

At a full 50.7% it is bold and oily. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.