Caol Ila 25 Years Old 1998 Cask #12879 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Caol Ila drawn by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1998, from cask 12879, bottled at 56.7%, one of 532 bottles. Caol Ila is a maritime malt, matured within sound of the sea. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. At this oxidative, evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished, drying structure while slow oxidation brings waxy tropical fruit over a ghost of peat. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

At a hearty 56.7% it carries real weight. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is an elegant Islay single malt.