Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2015 (Liquid Treasures)

The bottler Liquid Treasures released this Caol Ila, an 8 year old, distilled in 2015, bottled at 52.1%. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

The spirit was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At a hearty 52.1% it carries real weight. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.