Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 13 Years Old 1996

Caol Ila from the distillery, a 13 year old, from 1996, at 43%. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

The spirit was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. 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. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years.

At 43% it is clean and coastal. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with grape, honey and a floral lift from the cask. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.