Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2010 Cask #324048 & 324051 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 324048 & 324051, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

This 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. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

At an approachable 43% it is balanced. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.