Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2014 100 Proof Edition #49 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 2014, bottled at 57.1%. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

This was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. A first fill sherry cask drove a deep, figgy, nutty character. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat.

At 57.1%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.