Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2005 Cask #301543 (G&M)

A 10 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2005 from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, from cask 301543, bottled at 55.9%, one of 244 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

Here the spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, shaping the lighter side of Islay. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At its natural 55.9% it is concentrated. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with a light bourbon sweetness. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.