Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2003 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 12 year old, distilled in 2003, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

The spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit.

At an approachable 46% it is balanced. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.