Caol Ila 6 Years Old 2011 Cask #12 – 21 (Wilson & Morgan)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, distilled in 2011, from cask 12-21, bottled at 46%, one of 3441 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a light bourbon sweetness. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.