Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2012 (Glaschu Spirits Co)

From the bottler Glaschu Spirits Co, a 12 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2012, bottled at 50%, one of 290 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

Here the spirit was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, giving a clean, lemony peat. A fortified or wine cask gave it a fruity, spiced depth. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it.

At 50% without water it is rich and full. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with plum and red berry from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.