Caol Ila 15 Years Old 1974 (G&M)

A Caol Ila of a 15 year old chosen by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1974, bottled at 40%. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

This was worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip, the smoke now mellow. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

Reduced to 40%, it is mellow. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.