Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2011 Cask #101 (C. Dully Selection)

The bottler C. Dully Selection released this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2011, from cask 101, bottled at 58.5%, one of 262 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and oak lactones a coconut sweetness, the guaiacol smoke bright and fresh. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At a hearty 58.5% it carries real weight. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a light bourbon sweetness. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.