Caol Ila 21 Years Old 1999 Cask #CI9921Q (Hidden Spirits)

The bottler Hidden Spirits selected this Caol Ila, a 21 year old, distilled in 1999, from cask CI9921Q, bottled at 56.4%, one of 102 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, building a refined, maritime peat. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness beneath the smoke. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

At 56.4%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.