Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2012 Cask #328354 (Whiskymax)

A Caol Ila of an 11 year old chosen by the bottler Whiskymax, distilled in 2012, from cask 328354, bottled at 58.8%, one of 129 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

This was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At cask strength 58.8% it is muscular. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.