Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2014 Cask #MoS 25015 (Malts of Scotland)

The bottler Malts of Scotland bottled this Caol Ila, an 11 year old, distilled in 2014, from cask MoS 25015, bottled at 56.3%, one of 196 bottles. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A long spell in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the spirit gently. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

Undiluted at 56.3%, it is powerful. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.