Caol Ila 40 Years Old 1979 Cask #DL 13576 (XOP)

XOP – The Black Series

700ml / 51.2%

Single Malt

$2722

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 40 year old, at 51.2%. The peat here is bright and lemony over an oily, maritime body. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on Islay. It stands at Port Askaig, facing Jura across the Sound. This is an elegant, lighter single malt from Islay’s largest distillery.

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SKU CIL335 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

A 40 year old Caol Ila from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, from cask DL 13576, bottled at 51.2%, one of 160 bottles. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

Made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At 51.2% without water it is rich and full. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.