Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #16 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

The bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd bottled this Caol Ila, a 13 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 16, bottled at 51.5%, one of 372 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Here the spirit was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, building a refined, maritime peat. 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. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years.

Undiluted at 51.5%, it is powerful. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a creamy oak note. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.