Caol Ila 13 Years Old BNSp (WhiskyHeroes)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler Brave New Spirits, bottled at 51.3%, one of 305 bottles. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

The spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A first fill sherry cask drove a deep, figgy, nutty character. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

At 51.3%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.