Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2003 (Small Batch)

A Caol Ila of a 10 year old chosen by Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, distilled in 2003, bottled at 46%, one of 738 bottles. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

It was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A tired refill cask added little but time, the make speaking clearly. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

At 46% it is clean and coastal. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.