Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength (61.6%)

Caol Ila, a distillery release, at 61.6%. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

It was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, giving a clean, lemony peat. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. Without an age statement, soft vanillin sweetness and a waxy, smoky body suggest a good few years in oak. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

At a hearty 61.6% it carries real weight. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.