Port Askaig 2004 SMS (Speciality Drinks Ltd)

The bottler Speciality Drinks Ltd released this Caol Ila, a 13 year old, distilled in 2004, from cask 2113-03, bottled at 55.2%, one of 228 bottles. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

It was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. Integration sees eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) fold into the spirit, the medicinal smoke gentler now. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

At its natural 55.2% it is concentrated. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a light bourbon sweetness. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.