Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 12 Years Old 2001

This distillery bottling of Caol Ila is a 12 year old, from 2001, at 43%. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

Made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A first fill sherry cask drove a deep, figgy, nutty character. In integration the oak lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the phenols, the whole growing rounder and oilier. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At an approachable 43% it is balanced. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with grape, honey and a floral lift from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.