Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2012 The Independent Selection (Stirk Consultants Co. Ltd.)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler Stirk Consultants Co. Ltd, distilled in 2012, bottled at 50%. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

It was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

At cask strength 50% it is muscular. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.