Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2006 Cask #311565 & 311569 (Signatory)

Cask Strength Collection

700ml / 55.9%

Single Malt

$195

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 12 year old, at 55.9%. An elegant smoke carries grapefruit, salt and a green olive note. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. Its tall stills give a lighter, cleaner island spirit. This is a refined Islay single malt that wears its style lightly.

Only 1 left in stock

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SKU CIL828 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

A Caol Ila of a 12 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2006, from cask 311565 & 311569, bottled at 55.9%, one of 515 bottles. Caol Ila takes its name from the Gaelic for the Sound of Islay. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit.

It was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine.

At cask strength 55.9% it is muscular. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.