Caol Ila 10 Years Old 1992 Cask #10638 (Blackadder)

The bottler Blackadder selected this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 1992, from cask 10638, bottled at 59.4%, one of 330 bottles. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

The spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, shaping the lighter side of Islay. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke.

Undiluted at 59.4%, it is powerful. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a light bourbon sweetness. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.