Caol Ila Sweet & Smoky (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, from cask 9102, bottled at 54%, one of 780 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. Without an age statement, soft vanillin sweetness and a waxy, smoky body suggest a good few years in oak. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

At cask strength 54% it is muscular. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with plum and red berry from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a clean coastal malt with a lemony peat.