Caol Ila 46 Years Old 1976 Cask #8102 (Private Collection)

From the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 46 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1976, from cask 8102, bottled at 45.8%, one of 132 bottles. Caol Ila takes its name from the Gaelic for the Sound of Islay. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

Here the spirit was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. 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. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

At a hearty 45.8% it carries real weight. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.