Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2013 Cask #325550 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2013, from cask 325550, bottled at 60.2%, one of 267 bottles. Caol Ila is prized for a smoke that leans to lemon and olive oil rather than tar. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

Drawn off a high cut from peated barley, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. Early, extractive maturation draws vanillin (vanilla) and furfural (toasted almond) from the wood over a clean, phenolic smoke. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

Bottled at a cask strength 60.2%, it is intense. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.