Caol Ila 30 Years Old 1984 Old & Rare A Platinum Selection (Hunter Laing)

A Caol Ila of a 30 year old chosen by the independent Hunter Laing, distilled in 1984, bottled at 53.2%, one of 246 bottles. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

Here the spirit was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, for a clean, coastal, oily make. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. 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. 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. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

At a natural 53.2% it is full and oily. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with a touch of vanilla and toffee. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.