Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 12 Years Old 1996

A 12 year old Caol Ila bottled by the distillery, from 1996, at 43%. Caol Ila is a maritime malt, matured within sound of the sea. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

It was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years.

At 43% it is soft, oily and bright. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with grape, honey and a floral lift from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.