Caol Ila 23 Years Old 1984 Cask #2731 + 2765 (Samaroli)

The Italian bottler Samaroli released this Caol Ila, a 23 year old, distilled in 1984, from cask 2731 + 2765, bottled at 45%, one of 792 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. Oxidative and evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple) over the softened smoke. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays.

At 45% it is soft, oily and bright. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with a creamy oak note. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.