Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2010 (SMWS 53.370)

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society selected this Caol Ila, a 10 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 53.370, bottled at 56.6%, one of 257 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

The spirit was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily.

At its natural 56.6% it is concentrated. A smoky, briny coastal character, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.