Caol Ila 20 Years Old 2000 Cask #309563 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 20 year old, distilled in 2000, from cask 309563, bottled at 59.6%, one of 612 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

It was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, giving a clean, lemony peat. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin, fig and a savoury edge. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of orchard fruit building as the peat turns gentle and coastal. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. 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.

At a hearty 59.6% it carries real weight. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.