Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2011 Cask #90014 (Cuspid Spirits)

A 9 year old Caol Ila from the bottler Cuspid Spirits, from cask 90014, bottled at 52%, one of 143 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

The spirit was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. In these extractive early years the oak surrenders vanillin as vanilla and cis oak lactones as coconut, while guaiacol carries a vivid, lemony peat smoke. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

At its natural 52% it is concentrated. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.