Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2009 Cask #322973 (Meadowside Blending)

The bottler Meadowside Blending released this Caol Ila, an 11 year old, distilled in 2009, from cask 322973, bottled at 54.4%, one of 493 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

At its natural 54.4% it is concentrated. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is an elegant Islay single malt.