Caol Ila 26 Years Old 1988 Cask #4213 (Morrison and MacKay)

The bottler Morrison and MacKay released this Caol Ila, a 26 year old, distilled in 1988, from cask 4213, bottled at 57%, one of 135 bottles. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

Run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, for a smoke more elegant than heavy. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. 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. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

At a natural 57% it is full and oily. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.