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

The bottler High Spirits' Collection selected this Caol Ila, a 30 year old, distilled in 1980, from cask 4690, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

Here the spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice) over the merest whisper of peat. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays.

At 46% it is soft, oily and bright. Smoked lemon, brine and a green olive note, with vanilla and a soft caramel from the wood. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.