Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2013 Watt Whisky (Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd.)

The bottler Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd bottled this Caol Ila, a 9 year old, distilled in 2013, bottled at 59.6%, one of 306 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

Here the spirit was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. These first years are extractive, the oak giving lactones as coconut and vanillin as vanilla beneath a sharp, citrussy smoke. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style.

At 59.6%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.