Caol Ila 25 Years Old

An official Caol Ila, a 25 year old, at 43%. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, shaping the lighter side of Islay. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. 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 peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

At an easy 43% it is gentle. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with a light bourbon sweetness. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.