Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2009 Cask #322861 (Signatory)

Cask Strength Collection

700ml / 55.7%

Single Malt

$233

A 13 year old Caol Ila, 2009, at 55.7% from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage. An elegant smoke carries grapefruit, salt and a green olive note. Its casks mature within sound of the sea. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. The distillery sits below a steep brae on the shore. This is a maritime Islay malt, smoke worn lightly.

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SKU CIL853 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

A Caol Ila drawn by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2009, from cask 322861, bottled at 55.7%, one of 257 bottles. Caol Ila is an east coast Islay distillery on the strait facing Jura. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

This was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

At a natural 55.7% it is full and oily. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.