Caol Ila 9 Years Old 1994 Cask #10850 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 9 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1994, from cask 10850, bottled at 61.1%, one of 430 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols.

This was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A tired refill cask added little but time, the make speaking clearly. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright.

At a full 61.1% it is bold and oily. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.