Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2006 Cask #303029 (A.D. Rattray)

This Caol Ila was bottled by A.D. Rattray, an 8 year old, distilled in 2006, from cask 303029, bottled at 57.2%, one of 322 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

This was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. Early, extractive maturation draws vanillin (vanilla) and furfural (toasted almond) from the wood over a clean, phenolic smoke. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift.

At a natural 57.2% it is full and oily. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.