Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2009 Cask #DL 13824 (Old Particular)

A 10 year old Caol Ila from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, from cask DL 13824, bottled at 48.4%, one of 377 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

Run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years.

At a natural 48.4% it is full and oily. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.