Caol Ila 26 Years Old 1982 Cask #756 (BB&R)

A Caol Ila of a 26 year old chosen by the London wine merchant Berry Bros and Rudd, distilled in 1982, from cask 756, bottled at 55.4%, one of 248 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

Here the spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. Through the evaporative decades concentration deepens the oils, lactones and esters folding into mango and beeswax, the phenols a memory. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily.

At cask strength 55.4% it is muscular. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.