Caol Ila 30 Years Old 1990 (SMWS 53.340)

A 30 year old Caol Ila from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, from cask 53.340, bottled at 50%, one of 210 bottles. Caol Ila has been bottled at every age from young and fierce to old and waxy. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

This was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, shaping the lighter side of Islay. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. 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. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright.

At its natural 50% it is concentrated. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a light bourbon sweetness. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.