Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2008 Xaver Bar Choice No. 4 (Sansibar)

From the bottler Sansibar, a 12 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2008, bottled at 54.6%, one of 148 bottles. Caol Ila is the smoky backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

This was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At 54.6%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with honeyed oak underneath. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.