Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2010 (Hepburn’s Choice)

A Caol Ila of a 10 year old chosen by the independent Hunter Laing, distilled in 2010, bottled at 46%, one of 639 bottles. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, giving a clean, lemony peat. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.