Caol Ila 2010 K23 Fallen Angels (Klubb23 (K23))

The bottler Klubb23 (K23) selected this Caol Ila, an 11 year old, distilled in 2010, bottled at 52.6%, one of 101 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols.

Run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types.

At cask strength 52.6% it is muscular. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with honeyed oak underneath. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.