Caol Ila 10 Years Old AD Selection (Adelphi)

A Caol Ila of a 10 year old chosen by the Adelphi bottler, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

Here the spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

At 46% it is smooth and clean. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.