Caol Ila 12 Years Old 2012 Cask #LRR0225 (Jack Wiebers Whisky World)

A 12 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2012 from the bottler Jack Wiebers Whisky World, from cask LRR0225, bottled at 58.5%, one of 168 bottles. Caol Ila is prized for a smoke that leans to lemon and olive oil rather than tar. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

Bottled at a cask strength 58.5%, it is intense. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. 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 Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.