Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2011 Cask #1 (Signatory)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2011, from cask 1, bottled at 46%, one of 310 bottles. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

It was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, giving a clean, lemony peat. A wine cask shaped it, the fruit meeting the spirit. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At 46% it is smooth and clean. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.