Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2015 Cask #30044 (Whiskydudes)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler Whiskydudes, a 10 year old, distilled in 2015, from cask 30044, bottled at 55.6%, one of 148 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Here the spirit was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke.

Undiluted at 55.6%, it is powerful. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.