Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2014 Cask #325994 (Adelphi)

A Caol Ila of a 10 year old chosen by the Adelphi bottler, distilled in 2014, from cask 325994, bottled at 56.2%, one of 251 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle 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 an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation.

At a natural 56.2% it is full and oily. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.