Caol Ila 18 Years Old 2006 Cask #3073546 (Elixir)

Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers bottled this Caol Ila, an 18 year old, distilled in 2006, from cask 3073546, bottled at 52.5%, one of 271 bottles. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

This was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols.

At its natural 52.5% it is concentrated. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.