Caol Ila 15 Years Old 1975 (G&M)

From the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 15 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1975, bottled at 40%. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

The spirit was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, structured grip, the smoke now mellow. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

At an approachable 40% it is balanced. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with honeyed oak underneath. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.