Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1984 Cask #3132 (Wilson & Morgan)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, distilled in 1984, from cask 3132, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is an Islay malt of clean, oily, citrus driven smoke. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

The spirit was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for a clean, coastal, oily make. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. Oxidative and evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple) over the softened smoke. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

At 46% it is soft, oily and bright. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a light bourbon sweetness. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.