Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2010 Cask #SC20 (The Firkin Whisky Co. Ltd.)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler The Firkin Whisky Co. Ltd, an 11 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask SC20, bottled at 48.9%. Caol Ila is the smoky backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

This was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

At 48.9%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with raisin and brown sugar from the cask. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.