Caol Ila 11 Years Old 2014 Rare Casks (A & G Selection)

The bottler A & G Selection bottled this Caol Ila, an 11 year old, distilled in 2014, bottled at 48%, one of 90 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

It was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, building a refined, maritime peat. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

At 48%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.