Caol Ila 25 Years Old (58.4%)

This 25 year old Caol Ila comes from the distillery itself, from 1979, at 58.4%, 6000 bottles in all. Caol Ila makes a clean, maritime malt on the east coast of Islay. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above.

This was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. A fortified or wine cask gave it a fruity, spiced depth. In the oxidative and evaporative years the angel's share concentrates the spirit, tropical esters of mango and pineapple emerging as the smoke fades to a soft ash. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At 58.4% without water it is rich and full. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a spiced, dried fruit edge from the cask. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.