Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2010 The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks (Elixir)

Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers selected this Caol Ila, a 12 year old, distilled in 2010, bottled at 48%. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit.

The spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy.

At cask strength 48% it is muscular. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a light bourbon sweetness. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.