Caol Ila 30 Years Old 1989 (SMWS 53.322)

Carpe Diem

700ml / 51.7%

Single Malt

$1102

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Caol Ila, a 30 year old, 1989, at 51.7%. A lighter Islay smoke, all lemon, brine and a peppery oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Among the most widely traded of Islay’s single malts. It is the most independently bottled of all the Islay malts. This is an Islay malt that balances smoke and citrus with ease.

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SKU CIL996 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottled this Caol Ila, a 30 year old, distilled in 1989, from cask 53.322, bottled at 51.7%, one of 444 bottles. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

It was made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Ethereal and fragile, decades have drawn the spirit to a waxy, tropical delicacy, sotolon and old oak over a soft mineral smoke. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift.

At 51.7%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A smoky, briny coastal character, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.