Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2011 Cask #310883 + 310884 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, an 8 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2011, from cask 310883 + 310884, bottled at 40%. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

Worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. In these extractive early years the oak surrenders vanillin as vanilla and cis oak lactones as coconut, while guaiacol carries a vivid, lemony peat smoke. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols.

At an easy 40% it is gentle. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.