Caol Ila 11 Years Old (Original Collection)

An 11 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2012 from Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is the quiet giant of Islay, vast yet refined. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation.

At an approachable 46% it is balanced. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a dry, nutty, savoury depth from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.