Caol Ila 13 Years Old

An official release of Caol Ila, a 13 year old, at 54.5%, 1404 bottles in all. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Here the spirit was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At 54.5% without water it is rich and full. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with plum and red berry from the cask. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.