Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2010 Cask #322462 + 322463 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage selected this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 322462 + 322463, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

Distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols.

At an easy 43% it is gentle. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is an elegant Islay single malt.