Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2010 Cask #103 (Signatory)

An 11 year old Caol Ila from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, from cask 103, bottled at 57%, one of 690 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

This was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

At cask strength 57% it is muscular. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.