Caol Ila 9 Years Old 1991 The Cooper’s Choice (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

The bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd released this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 1991, bottled at 58.4%. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

It was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. Young and extractive, the cask sheds vanillin (vanilla) and toasted hemicellulose sugars (a light caramel) fast, the phenols still sharp and medicinal. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays.

At a full 58.4% it is bold and oily. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with a soft vanilla from the oak. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.