Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1976 Cask #8088 (Signatory)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 25 year old, distilled in 1976, from cask 8088, bottled at 59.3%, one of 302 bottles. Caol Ila is the smoky backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Oxidative and evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple) over the softened smoke. 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. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright.

At cask strength 59.3% it is muscular. A clean maritime smoke with lemon and brine, with a soft vanilla from the oak. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.