Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2014 Cask #326508 (UD – bottler)

A Caol Ila of an 11 year old chosen by the bottler UD - bottler, distilled in 2014, from cask 326508, bottled at 53.8%, one of 120 bottles. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

Here the spirit was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

At 53.8%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with a creamy oak note. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.