Caol Ila 30 Years Old 1980 Cask #4690 (High Spirits’ Collection) (60.1%)

The bottler High Spirits' Collection released this Caol Ila, a 30 year old, distilled in 1980, from cask 4690, bottled at 60.1%. Caol Ila is the smoky backbone of the Johnnie Walker blends. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

Worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A tired refill cask added little but time, the make speaking clearly. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat.

At 60.1%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with honeyed oak underneath. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. The smoke fades slow over citrus and a mineral tang. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.