Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1990 Cask #4707-4708 (Wilson & Morgan)

From the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, a 25 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1990, from cask 4707-4708, bottled at 54.3%, one of 408 bottles. Caol Ila is Diageo's largest Islay distillery. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

The spirit was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. At this oxidative, evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished, drying structure while slow oxidation brings waxy tropical fruit over a ghost of peat. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily.

At a hearty 54.3% it carries real weight. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.