Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2008 Cask #4026315 (Duncan Taylor)

The bottler Duncan Taylor selected this Caol Ila, a 12 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 4026315, bottled at 48%, one of 75 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

It was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, giving a clean, lemony peat. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays.

At a natural 48% it is full and oily. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.