Caol Ila 16 Years Old 2006 Cask #MoS 22030 (Malts of Scotland)

A 16 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2006 from the bottler Malts of Scotland, from cask MoS 22030, bottled at 48.7%, one of 115 bottles. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

This was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

At a full 48.7% it is bold and oily. A smoky, briny coastal character, with plum and red berry from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.