Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1982 Cask #731 (James MacArthur)

A 25 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 1982 from the bottler James MacArthur, from cask 731, bottled at 55.5%, one of 213 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

Worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, building a refined, maritime peat. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. In these late, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to a waxy, tropical depth, the ellagitannin grip holding the fading peat in frame. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character.

At cask strength 55.5% it is muscular. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.