Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2003 Cask #302230 (G&M)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 2003, from cask 302230, bottled at 56.3%, one of 179 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols.

It was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, giving a clean, lemony peat. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. 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. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

At a hearty 56.3% it carries real weight. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.