Caol Ila 37 Years Old 1980 Cask #DL 12074 (XOP)

XOP

700ml / 56.1%

Single Malt

$1867

From the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 37 year old Caol Ila 1980, at 56.1%. Clean and coastal, the smoke leans to lemon and olive oil. It is the most independently bottled of all the Islay malts. One of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. This is the smoky workhorse of Johnnie Walker in single malt form.

Only 2 left in stock

Only 2 left

SKU CIL340 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

The Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing selected this Caol Ila, a 37 year old, distilled in 1980, from cask DL 12074, bottled at 56.1%, one of 179 bottles. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

The spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A long spell in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the spirit gently. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

At 56.1% without water it is rich and full. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.