Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2007 Cask #18401 (Alambic Classique)

The bottler Alambic Classique selected this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask 18401, bottled at 51.9%, one of 149 bottles. Caol Ila is an east coast Islay distillery on the strait facing Jura. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

This was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

At a hearty 51.9% it carries real weight. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.