Caol Ila 2010

The influence of the second fill bourbon cask on this textbook Islay malt is very subtle, allowing the spirit to speak assertively and to remain powerful, maritime and austere. At the nose, it’s very citrusy and farmy, with notes of lemon peel and a crystalline freshness: peat smoke is there, but almost laying in wait. Where the smokiness explodes is at the palate: here the Islay style and its rugged notes of ash and tar are at full blast. There is moderate malty sweetness, but overall the profile remains very clean, lemony, salty and breezy. The combination of sea and smoke keeps growing in the finale: the ashy character builds even more strength, as does the saltiness. Still very sharp, clean, chiselled.