Caol Ila 24 Years Old 1984 Valentino Zagatti’s Personal Choice (High Spirits’ Collection)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler High Spirits' Collection, a 24 year old, distilled in 1984, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit.

Here the spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A tired refill cask added little but time, the make speaking clearly. At this oxidative, evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished, drying structure while slow oxidation brings waxy tropical fruit over a ghost of peat. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

At an approachable 46% it is balanced. Smoke, lemon and a peppery oil, with a creamy oak note. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.