Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2018 Cask #301153-1 (Keeble Cask Company Ltd.)

An 8 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2018 from the bottler Keeble Cask Company Ltd, from cask 301153-1, bottled at 56.7%, one of 156 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

This was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. These first years are extractive, the oak giving lactones as coconut and vanillin as vanilla beneath a sharp, citrussy smoke. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols.

At 56.7%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.