Caol Ila 11 Years Old 1989 Cask #3323 (Mackillop’s Choice)

From the bottler Mackillop's Choice, an 11 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1989, from cask 3323, bottled at 59.9%. Caol Ila is the smoky backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

This was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. 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. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character.

At cask strength 59.9% it is muscular. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is an elegant Islay single malt.