Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2011 Cask #53 (Signatory)

A Caol Ila of a 10 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2011, from cask 53, bottled at 46%, one of 315 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

It was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

At an approachable 46% it is balanced. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with plum and red berry from the cask. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.