Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2012 Cask #317366/368 (Wilson & Morgan)

A 10 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2012 from the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, from cask 317366/368, bottled at 57.9%. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

This was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At cask strength 57.9% it is muscular. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a creamy oak note. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.