Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2011 (SMWS 53.400)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 2011, from cask 53.400, bottled at 58.3%, one of 298 bottles. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

Here the spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At cask strength 58.3% it is muscular. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.