Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2010 Cask #321718+722+726 (Signatory)

Small Batch Edition #7

700ml / 47.1%

Single Malt

$109

A Caol Ila of a 9 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, at 47.1%. Its clean Islay smoke runs to lemon, brine and a soft oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. It stands at Port Askaig, facing Jura across the Sound. The distillery sits below a steep brae on the shore. This is a maritime Islay malt, smoke worn lightly.

In stock

Available

SKU CIL866 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage released this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask 321718+722+726, bottled at 47.1%. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

The spirit was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. These first years are extractive, the oak giving lactones as coconut and vanillin as vanilla beneath a sharp, citrussy smoke. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy.

At 47.1%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.