Caol Ila 10 Years Old 1978 20th anniversary (R. W. Duthie & Co.)

A 10 year old Caol Ila from the bottler R. W. Duthie & Co, bottled at 50%, one of 540 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

It was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

At 50%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.