Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2014 Cask #326511 (The Caskhound)

An 8 year old Caol Ila from the bottler The Caskhound, from cask 326511, bottled at 55.7%, one of 197 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

It was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. 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. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

At a hearty 55.7% it carries real weight. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a dry, nutty, savoury depth from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.