Caol Ila 20 Years Old 1996 Cask #794 (Kingsbury)

A Caol Ila of a 20 year old chosen by the bottler Kingsbury, distilled in 1996, from cask 794, bottled at 56.9%, one of 202 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

Run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A red wine cask lent berry fruit and a dry, tannic edge. In the oxidative middle years the spirit deepens, oxidation drawing out waxy fruit as the guaiacol smoke fades to embers. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

At 56.9%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with brown sugar and a tropical lift from the cask. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.