Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2012 Cask #CL1224 (Spirits Beast)

A 12 year old Caol Ila from the bottler Spirits Beast, from cask CL1224, bottled at 53.2%, one of 150 bottles. Caol Ila has been bottled at every age from young and fierce to old and waxy. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Here the spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, giving a bright, citrus driven 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. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

At 53.2%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with a creamy oak note. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.