Caol Ila 19 Years Old 1992 Moody Lions (The Whisky Agency)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler The Whisky Agency, distilled in 1992, bottled at 50.5%, one of 207 bottles. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

The spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

At 50.5%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.