Caol Ila 29 Years Old 1981 Cask #3253 (Moon-Import)

From the bottler Moon-Import, a 29 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1981, from cask 3253, bottled at 46%, one of 370 bottles. Caol Ila looks out across the Sound to the Paps of Jura. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

Drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. In these late, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to a waxy, tropical depth, the ellagitannin grip holding the fading peat in frame. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation.

At 46% it is soft, oily and bright. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with a creamy oak note. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.