Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2010 (SMWS 53.368)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 10 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 53.368, bottled at 57.7%, one of 294 bottles. Caol Ila is an east coast Islay distillery on the strait facing Jura. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

Run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character.

At a natural 57.7% it is full and oily. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with honeyed oak underneath. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.