Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 Cask Series 014 (North Star)

From the bottler North Star Spirits, an 8 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2012, bottled at 45.9%, one of 130 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

It was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. Early, extractive maturation draws vanillin (vanilla) and furfural (toasted almond) from the wood over a clean, phenolic smoke. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

At 45.9% it is smooth and clean. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with honeyed oak underneath. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.