Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 12 Years Old 2000

A 12 year old Caol Ila bottled by the distillery, from 2000, at 43%. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A sherry cask wrapped the spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. By the integrating teens harsher congeners fade and ethyl esters build, lending a riper citrus over the softening peat. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation.

At 43% it is soft, oily and bright. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with grape, honey and a floral lift from the cask. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.