Caol Ila 38 Years Old 1980 Cask #DL 12785 (XOP)

From the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 38 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1980, from cask DL 12785, bottled at 53.9%, one of 177 bottles. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

The spirit was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, building a refined, maritime peat. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it.

At a hearty 53.9% it carries real weight. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is an elegant Islay single malt.