Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2008 Cask #303639 (Single Note)

A Caol Ila of a 12 year old chosen by the bottler Single Note, distilled in 2008, from cask 303639, bottled at 53.3%, one of 375 bottles. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At cask strength 53.3% it is muscular. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.