Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2014 Cask #2005658 (Murray McDavid)

An 8 year old Caol Ila from the independent Murray McDavid, from cask 2005658, bottled at 56.5%, one of 299 bottles. Caol Ila is an east coast Islay distillery on the strait facing Jura. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

Here the spirit 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 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 clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years.

Undiluted at 56.5%, it is powerful. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.