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KWM 2023 Whisky Calendar Blog Day 15 - Elements of Islay Cl14

Posted on December 19, 2023

by Evan

Our journey through independent bottlings from Diageo-owned distilleries continues, this time with a bottling of Caol Ila from Elixir Distillers. Today’s dram is the Elements of Islay CI14.

Islay’s Caol Ila Distillery has been around since 1846 and is about a 5-minute drive from the ferry landing at Port Askaig. The Ardnahoe and Bunnahabhain Distilleries are their nearest neighbours. Caol Ila is the largest producer of Single Malt Scotch on Islay by a good margin, and it has to be. It is a distillery that is sought after by blenders and independent bottlers alike and with good reason. More than 85% of Caol Ila's production is destined for blends, and one of the main factors for this is that it is the heart of Johnnie Walker Black Label and the more recent Johnnie Walker Double Black.

While Caol Ila may be prolific in production versus other Islay distilleries, and there are usually more independent bottlings of Caol Ila as well – this is a very good thing. Caol Ila is one of the most consistently good whiskies available. It is a highly sought-after malt for indie bottlers and for blending alike because of this. Caol Ila takes well to just any cask you throw it in, and the quality of the whisky is high at any age. Young Coal Ila in an ex-Bourbon cask? Delicious – salty and citric with a bucket of fresh oysters and a lime margarita. Caol Ila in its teenage years matured sherry? Yes please – bring on the barbecue notes! Older Caol Ila from an old refill hogshead? Amazing stuff – likely showing plenty of tropical fruit and soft, coastal peat.

This specific bottling of Caol Ila is part of the Elements of Islay Series from Elixir Distillers. As the name suggests, this series features bottlings of whisky from Islay distilleries exclusively. Each of the Islay distilleries bottled is given an abbreviation as if it were an element on the periodic table. CI is Caol Ila, Bn is Bunnahabhain, Lp is Laphroaig, etc. This bottle is the CI14, meaning it is the 14th batch of Caol Ila bottled in the Elements of Islay series.

This multi-vintage batch of Caol Ila from the Elements of Islay was matured in an American oak hogshead as well as Oloroso Sherry Butts. It has been bottled at 50.1%. The full breakdown is thus:

1x 2015 American Oak Hogshead
2x 2012 ex-Oloroso Sherry butts
1x 2013 ex-Oloroso Sherry butt

Let’s give it a taste!

Elements of Islay Cl14 - 50.1%

Evan’s Tasting Note

Nose: Full of barbecue and berry jam. Strawberry and raspberry notes along with a smoky ocean breeze, grilled seafood, malty grains, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Palate: Plenty of charred oak along with more coastal notes and that dash of citrus again. Oh Henry chocolate bars, apple slices, cranberry juice, candied pork belly cubes, and a sliver of orange peel.

Finish: Smoky and coastal with a bit more berry-driven fruit and cinnamon at the end.

Comment: This is a complex Caol Ila. It is very peaty and coastal, but the amount of fruit showing is surprising.

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Facebook & Instagram: @sagelikefool

You can find all blog posts for Kensington Wine Market’s 2023 Whisky Calendar Here