Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2014 Cask #2003922 (Murray McDavid)

The independent Murray McDavid selected this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2014, from cask 2003922, bottled at 55.6%, one of 237 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Here the spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, building a refined, maritime peat. Maturation in a fortified cask lent red fruit and a soft spice. 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. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At 55.6% without water it is rich and full. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.