Caol Ila 16 Years Old Ses Islay Malt Scotch Whisky Decanter (Sestante)

The bottler Sestante selected this Caol Ila, a 16 year old, bottled at 40%. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

Here the spirit was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pear and apple) and a waxiness, the phenols softening to a coastal whisper. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

At 40% it is supple and oily. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.