Scotland, 43%
Each expression of CAOL ILA (say'Cull Ee-la') reflects a special quality of the light at this remote Islay Distillary,where sublime malt whiskies have been made for over a hundred and sixty years.Together they picture a day in its secret cove on the Sound of Islay.The smoothness and fine balance of COAL ILA 12 year old suggests the rounded shapes of the stills,softly outlined in a cloudy day's first glimpse of the sun.Fresh and fruity,it is a classic expression of the CAOL ILA character,first seen in 1846.Here are those spicy sea-air aromas and sweet smoky-dry flavours,elegantly expressed with a clarity and balance that come from perfect maturation.
Nose: Fresh, herbal. Rubbed peppermint leaves, stemmy, damp grass, smoky. Oily, cigar leaves, smoked ham, hickory. Lemon peels at the harbour.
Palate: Good body, oily, tar, elegant smoke. Hints of boiled sweets.
Finish: Long, peppery, spicy warmth, smoke.
