Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2010 Goldfinch Bodega Series (Goldfinch Whisky Merchants)

A Caol Ila of a 12 year old chosen by the bottler Goldfinch Whisky Merchants, distilled in 2010, bottled at 52%, one of 395 bottles. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, giving a clean, lemony peat. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat.

At a hearty 52% it carries real weight. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.