Caol Ila 15 Years Old 1991 Sestante (Silver Seal)

The bottler Silver Seal selected this Caol Ila, a 15 year old, distilled in 1991, bottled at 58.3%, one of 150 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

It was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. 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. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

At 58.3%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.