Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2013 Cask #324246 – 324253 (Wilson & Morgan)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, a 10 year old, distilled in 2013, from cask 324246-324253, bottled at 48%, one of 2475 bottles. Caol Ila is prized for a smoke that leans to lemon and olive oil rather than tar. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

This was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types.

At a natural 48% it is full and oily. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.