Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2013 Cask #319939 (Global Whisky Limited)

A Caol Ila of an 11 year old chosen by the bottler Global Whisky Limited, distilled in 2013, from cask 319939, bottled at 57.1%, one of 291 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

It was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At its natural 57.1% it is concentrated. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.