Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2008 Cask #9116 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

A 12 year old Caol Ila from the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, from cask 9116, bottled at 54.5%, one of 324 bottles. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

This was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat.

Undiluted at 54.5%, it is powerful. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.