Caol Ila 12 Years Old (64%)

Unpeated Style – Diageo Special Releases 2011

700ml / 64%

Single Malt

$304

This Caol Ila comes from the distillery, a 12 year old, at 64%. Smoke, sea spray and an oily lemon fill the glass. Water comes from Loch nam Ban, above the distillery. Islay’s quiet giant, vast yet refined. It is the most independently bottled of all the Islay malts. This is a polished, maritime Islay single malt.

In stock

Available

SKU CIL014 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

This distillery bottling of Caol Ila is a 12 year old, at 64%. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

This was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal 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.

Bottled at a cask strength 64%, it is intense. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with a light bourbon sweetness. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.