Caol Ila 15 Years Old 2009 Cask #322902 (Signatory)

A Caol Ila of a 15 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2009, from cask 322902, bottled at 55.6%, one of 259 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

This was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

At 55.6%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.