Caol Ila 32 Years Old 1984 Cask #3153 (Blackadder)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler Blackadder, a 32 year old, distilled in 1984, from cask 3153, bottled at 60.1%, one of 178 bottles. Caol Ila is an east coast Islay distillery on the strait facing Jura. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit.

Here the spirit was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. At an ethereal, fragile age the spirit turns delicate, sotolon lending a maple and old oak depth as beeswax and a ghost of smoke linger. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style.

At cask strength 60.1% it is muscular. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a light bourbon sweetness. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.