Caol Ila 31 Years Old 1983 Cask #406258 (Duncan Taylor)

The bottler Duncan Taylor selected this Caol Ila, a 31 year old, distilled in 1983, from cask 406258, bottled at 52.6%, one of 62 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

It was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, shaping the lighter side of Islay. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness beneath the smoke. 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. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At a full 52.6% it is bold and oily. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is Caol Ila's lighter, maritime Islay smoke.