Caol Ila 18 Years Old

This distillery bottling of Caol Ila is an 18 year old, at 43%. Caol Ila is Diageo's largest Islay distillery. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

Distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

Bottled at 43%, it is rounded. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.