Caol Ila 10 Years Old 1984 Barrel Selection Extra Strength (Wilson & Morgan)

From the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, a 10 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1984, bottled at 50%. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

Here the spirit was run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

At a hearty 50% it carries real weight. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with a creamy oak note. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.