Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2013 Cask #319941 (Global Whisky Limited)

The bottler Global Whisky Limited bottled this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2013, from cask 319941, bottled at 58.4%, one of 299 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

The spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. Early, extractive maturation draws vanillin (vanilla) and furfural (toasted almond) from the wood over a clean, phenolic smoke. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

Undiluted at 58.4%, it is powerful. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with a dry, nutty edge from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.