Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2009 (SMWS 53.493)

A 15 year old Caol Ila from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, from cask 53.493, bottled at 56.2%, one of 246 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

The spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

At a hearty 56.2% it carries real weight. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.