Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2011 Cask, Plants & Blossoms (Islay Cask Company)

The bottler Islay Cask Company bottled this Caol Ila, an 8 year old, distilled in 2011, bottled at 57%, one of 244 bottles. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

The spirit was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Maturation in a fortified cask lent red fruit and a soft spice. These first years are extractive, the oak giving lactones as coconut and vanillin as vanilla beneath a sharp, citrussy smoke. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily.

At a hearty 57% it carries real weight. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.