Caol Ila 13 Years Old 1989 (The Merchant’s Collection)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler The Merchant's Collection, distilled in 1989, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Through integration the spirit and cask settle, lactone coconut and a soft vanillin balancing the easing phenols. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily.

At an easy 43% it is gentle. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a light bourbon sweetness. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.