THE FIRKIN ISLAY CAOL ILA 2010 MARSALA 48.9 % SINGLE CASK

The Firken Islay Caol Ila 2010 Marsala is a single malt Scotch whisky that has been matured in a Marsala wine cask. At 48.9% ABV, it has a bold and smoky flavor profile that is sure to please fans of Islay whisky.

On the nose, this whisky has a distinct peaty aroma, with hints of smoke, brine, and seaweed. There are also notes of dried fruit and a subtle sweetness that add complexity to the aroma.

On the palate, the whisky is full-bodied and smoky, with flavors of peat, charred oak, and black pepper. The Marsala wine cask adds a fruity sweetness to the whisky, with notes of raisins and plums that balance the smoky flavors.

The finish is long and warming, with a lingering smokiness that leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Overall, The Firken Islay Caol Ila 2010 Marsala is a well-balanced and flavorful whisky that will appeal to fans of Islay whisky, as well as those who enjoy a touch of sweetness in their whisky.

Caol Ila is derived from Gaelic Caol Ìle for "Sound of Islay" (lit. "Islay Strait") in reference to the distillery's location overlooking the strait between Islay and Jura. It was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. The distillery did not fare well, and changed hands in 1854 when Norman Buchanan, owner of the Isle of Jura Distillery, took over. In 1863 the business was acquired by Bulloch Lade & Co, of Glasgow, traders in whisky stocks. According to the 1871 census, Duncan Johnston was the Distillery Manager at the time. Duncan was the nephew of John Johnston of Lagavulin and cousin to the Laphroaig Johnstons and so the family were involved with yet another distillery on the island. By the 1880s over 147,000 imperial gallons (670,000 L) of whisky were produced there each year. In 1920 Bulloch Lade went into voluntary liquidation, and a consortium of businessmen formed the Caol Ila Distillery Company Ltd. In 1927 the Distillers Company acquired a controlling interest in Caol Ila, and in 1930 Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd obtained ownership of all the shares. The distillery closed during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, because of wartime restrictions on the supply of barley to distillers. From then, production continued until 1972, when the entire structure of the distillery was demolished. A larger distillery was then built, designed by George Leslie Darge in the same architectural style as many of his others with his trademark glazed curtain walls to the still houses, and production resumed in 1974. The company eventually became part of Diageo.