Caol Ila 2007/2024 - 17 y.o. - PX Sherry #230850-51 - Murray McDavid

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 55.7% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This seventeen-year-old Islay single malt combines extended maturation with a carefully chosen PX finish. Caol Ila distilled the whisky in 2007; towards the end of its maturation, it spent nine months finishing in Pedro Ximénez Octaves, each with a capacity of 64 litres. Murray McDavid then combined the whisky drawn from casks 230850 and 230851 before bottling it in 2024 at 55.7%, yielding a total of 182 bottles.

The aromatic range extends from apple pastry, caramel and floral peat smoke to raspberries, blackberries, cherries, creamy coffee and glowing coals. Peat smoke remains present throughout the long, oily finish, accompanying the dark fruit character imparted by the PX finishing period.

The whisky was bottled without chill filtration or added colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, warm apple pastry and soft caramel combine with a floral note of peat smoke.
• Palate: On the palate, juicy raspberries, blackberries and cherries meet creamy coffee notes and the spicy depth of glowing coals.
• Finish: The finish is long and oily, with a full mouthfeel, delicate peat smoke and dark fruit character from the PX finishing period.

Distillery/Bottler:

Caol Ila produced the Islay single malt distilled in 2007. As the independent bottler, Murray McDavid selected the casks, oversaw the additional maturation and bottled the whisky.

Caol Ila was founded in 1846 and stands on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig. Water, the coastal setting and Islay malt are central to the distillery’s identity, while its peat smoke also gives this bottling a clearly defined character.

Murray McDavid was founded in 1994 by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin and Gordon Wright. The bottler became particularly known for additional maturation in unusual casks and fine wine casks. Murray McDavid is now part of Aceo Ltd. and operates from Coleburn Distillery in Speyside; the finish in small Pedro Ximénez Octaves continues this approach to maturation in the present bottling.

Facts: