Black Friday 16 Years Old ElD 2022 Edition (Elixir)

This Caol Ila was bottled by Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers, a 16 year old, bottled at 53.2%, one of 2000 bottles. Caol Ila was rebuilt in the 1970s into the large distillery it is today. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

Worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed and ellagitannin tannins lend a polished, drying frame to the smoke. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At cask strength 53.2% it is muscular. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with a creamy oak note. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is an elegant Islay single malt.