USA SHIPPING FROM $28
EU SHIPPING FROM €16
USA SHIPPING FROM $28
EU SHIPPING FROM €16
$106
This Caol Ila, the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, at 48%. Smoked lemon, sea spray and a soft oil run through it. It is the most independently bottled of all the Islay malts. Most of its make goes into the Johnnie Walker blends. Founded at Port Askaig in 1846, it is Islay’s biggest distillery. This is an east coast Islay single malt of real charm.
Only 1 left in stock
Description
From the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, a 12 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2013, from cask 307556-307561, bottled at 48%, one of 1833 bottles. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.
It was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, building a refined, maritime peat. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.
At a full 48% it is bold and oily. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.
Additional information
$106
