Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2010 Cask #HL 56877 (Old Malt Cask)

A Caol Ila drawn by the independent Hunter Laing, distilled in 2010, from cask HL 56877, bottled at 50%, one of 769 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

This was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A first fill sherry cask drove a deep, figgy, nutty character. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At 50% without water it is rich and full. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.