Caol Ila 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #714 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Caol Ila, a 20 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 714, bottled at 57.3%, one of 385 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

The spirit was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, giving a clean, lemony peat. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At a natural 57.3% it is full and oily. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a creamy oak note. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.