Caol Ila 10 Years Old Vintage (Signatory)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 10 year old, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

At an easy 43% it is gentle. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.