Caol Ila Cl6 SMS Elements of Islay (Speciality Drinks Ltd)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler Speciality Drinks Ltd, bottled at 61.2%. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

Here the spirit was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. No age is given, but vanillin vanilla and the lemony phenols of the smoke are well knit. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At cask strength 61.2% it is muscular. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.