Islay Fusion 1992 MI Paris (Moon-Import)

The bottler Moon-Import selected this Caol Ila, a 12 year old, distilled in 1992, bottled at 46%, one of 650 bottles. Caol Ila is Diageo's largest Islay distillery. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

This was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, giving a clean, lemony peat. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke.

At 46% it is soft, oily and bright. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with honeyed oak underneath. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.