Caol Ila 16 Years Old 2009 (SMWS 53.502)

From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 16 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2009, from cask 53.502, bottled at 55.6%, one of 255 bottles. Caol Ila was rebuilt in the 1970s into the large distillery it is today. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

Here the spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

At a full 55.6% it is bold and oily. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.