Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2015 100 Proof Edition #42 (Signatory)

100 Proof – Edition #42

700ml / 57.1%

Single Malt

$75

Drawn by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 9 year old Caol Ila, at 57.1%. A fresh peat smoke over lemon and a saline oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. The distillery sits below a steep brae on the shore. This is an Islay malt that balances smoke and citrus with ease.

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SKU CIL931 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 9 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2015, bottled at 57.1%. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

It was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the make. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years.

At its natural 57.1% it is concentrated. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is an elegant Islay single malt.