Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2013 Cask #319937 (Global Whisky Limited)

The bottler Global Whisky Limited selected this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2013, from cask 319937, bottled at 57.8%, one of 316 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

It was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. In its extractive youth the spirit takes vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut quickly, the peat phenols vivid and lemony. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

Undiluted at 57.8%, it is powerful. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is an elegant Islay single malt.