Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2011 Cask #900084 (Anam na h-Alba)

From the bottler Anam na h-Alba, a 10 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2011, from cask 900084, bottled at 57.9%, one of 305 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

Here the spirit was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

At a full 57.9% it is bold and oily. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.