Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2014 Cask #1965780 (Murray McDavid)

A Caol Ila drawn by the independent Murray McDavid, distilled in 2014, from cask 1965780, bottled at 56.4%, one of 281 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

The spirit was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Early, extractive maturation draws vanillin (vanilla) and furfural (toasted almond) from the wood over a clean, phenolic smoke. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

At 56.4%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.