Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2012 Cask #ARD326496 (Potstill)

From the bottler Potstill, a 10 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2012, from cask ARD326496, bottled at 56.1%, one of 391 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

It was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

Bottled at a cask strength 56.1%, it is intense. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.