Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2013 Sa Coilltean Int. Co. LTD (Samaroli)

From the Italian bottler Samaroli, a 10 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 2013, bottled at 45%, one of 1104 bottles. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

The spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift.

At 45% it is clean and coastal. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.