Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #SC16A (The Firkin Whisky Co. Ltd.)

An 11 year old Caol Ila from the bottler The Firkin Whisky Co. Ltd, from cask SC16A, bottled at 48.9%. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation.

At its natural 48.9% it is concentrated. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with raisin and brown sugar from the cask. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.