Caol Ila 27 Years Old 1984 Old & Rare The Platinum Selection (Douglas Laing)

A Caol Ila of a 27 year old chosen by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, distilled in 1984, bottled at 52.2%, one of 171 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

It was distilled slowly from peated malt for a refined island smoke, building a refined, maritime peat. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness beneath the smoke. At this oxidative, evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished, drying structure while slow oxidation brings waxy tropical fruit over a ghost of peat. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through.

Undiluted at 52.2%, it is powerful. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.