Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2004 (Connoisseurs Choice)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail released this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2004, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

This was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.