Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #312227 (BB&R)

700ml / 52.7%

Single Malt

$140

This Caol Ila was bottled by the London wine merchant Berry Bros and Rudd, an 11 year old, at 52.7%. A fresh peat smoke over lemon and a saline oil. The distillery sits below a steep brae on the shore. Among the most widely traded of Islay’s single malts. This is a refined Islay single malt that wears its style lightly.

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SKU CIL143 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

An 11 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2011 from the London wine merchant Berry Bros and Rudd, from cask 312227, bottled at 52.7%, one of 295 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

This was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

At a hearty 52.7% it carries real weight. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.