Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 Cask #5 (Signatory)

A Caol Ila of an 8 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2012, from cask 5, bottled at 58.8%, one of 690 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

Here the spirit was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness beneath the smoke. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At 58.8% without water it is rich and full. A smoky, briny coastal character, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.