Caol Ila 28 Years Old 1990 Cask #DL 12536 (XOP)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 28 year old, distilled in 1990, from cask DL 12536, bottled at 54.8%, one of 201 bottles. Caol Ila is the smoky backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

This was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, giving a clean, lemony peat. A fresh bourbon barrel lent vanilla, coconut and a fuller body. At this oxidative, evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished, drying structure while slow oxidation brings waxy tropical fruit over a ghost of peat. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle.

At 54.8%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.