Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1976 Cask #8086 (Signatory)

A 25 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 1976 from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, from cask 8086, bottled at 57.7%, one of 271 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

The spirit was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. In these late, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to a waxy, tropical depth, the ellagitannin grip holding the fading peat in frame. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

At its natural 57.7% it is concentrated. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a light bourbon sweetness. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.