Caol Ila 30 Years Old 1983 Cask #5358 (Wilson & Morgan)

A Caol Ila of a 30 year old chosen by the Italian bottler Wilson and Morgan, distilled in 1983, from cask 5358, bottled at 57.7%, one of 240 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness.

Made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. At an ethereal, fragile age the spirit turns delicate, sotolon lending a maple and old oak depth as beeswax and a ghost of smoke linger. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke.

At a natural 57.7% it is full and oily. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.