Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1979 Cask #DL 2001 (Douglas Laing)

A 25 year old Caol Ila from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, from cask DL 2001, bottled at 50%, one of 323 bottles. Caol Ila is the most heavily bottled of all the Islay malts. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke.

Worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. Oxidative and evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple) over the softened smoke. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath.

At 50% without water it is rich and full. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a creamy oak note. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is an elegant Islay single malt.