Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 8 Years Old JE (James Eadie)

The bottler James Eadie released this Caol Ila, an 8 year old, bottled at 48.3%. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

It was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. 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. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays.

At cask strength 48.3% it is muscular. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a dry, nutty, savoury depth from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.