Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 13 Years Old 1997

This distillery bottling of Caol Ila is a 13 year old, from 1997, at 43%. Caol Ila is the quiet giant of Islay, vast yet refined. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

It was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the make. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

At 43% it is supple and oily. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with grape, honey and a floral lift from the cask. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.