Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2013 Small Batch Edition #12 (Signatory)

Small Batch Edition #12

700ml / 48.2%

Single Malt

$90

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 10 year old, at 48.2%. Soft ash and smoked citrus sit on an oily body, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. It is Diageo’s largest Islay distillery by some way. Water comes from Loch nam Ban, above the distillery. This is a finely judged Islay single malt.

In stock

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SKU CIL921 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 10 year old, distilled in 2013, bottled at 48.2%. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

This was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Bottled at a cask strength 48.2%, it is intense. A smoky, briny coastal character, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.