Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 13 Years Old 1998

Caol Ila, a distillery release, a 13 year old, from 1998, at 43%. Caol Ila is prized for a smoke that leans to lemon and olive oil rather than tar. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

This was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

Bottled at 43%, it is rounded. A smoky, briny coastal character, with grape, honey and a floral lift from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.