Caol Ila 9 Years Old 1991 Cask #3199 – 3203 (Dun Eideann)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler Dun Eideann, a 9 year old, distilled in 1991, from cask 3199-3203, bottled at 46%, one of 1765 bottles. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. These first years are extractive, the oak giving lactones as coconut and vanillin as vanilla beneath a sharp, citrussy smoke. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At 46% it is supple and oily. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.