Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2010 Cask #321697 (UD – bottler)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler UD - bottler, an 11 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 321697, bottled at 56.9%, one of 233 bottles. Caol Ila has been bottled at every age from young and fierce to old and waxy. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

It was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, building a refined, maritime peat. A long spell in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the spirit gently. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine.

At 56.9% without water it is rich and full. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.