Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2008 Lord of Islay (Whiskykeller)

The bottler Whiskykeller bottled this Caol Ila, an 11 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 51.1%, one of 211 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

This was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Bottled at a cask strength 51.1%, it is intense. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.