Caol Ila 6 Years Old 2011 Cask #DMG 12090 (Douglas McGibbon)

A 6 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 2011 from the bottler Douglas McGibbon, from cask DMG 12090, bottled at 48%, one of 415 bottles. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. Early, extractive maturation draws vanillin (vanilla) and furfural (toasted almond) from the wood over a clean, phenolic smoke. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it.

At a natural 48% it is full and oily. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.