Caol Ila 31 Years Old 1991 Cask #13702 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 31 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 1991 from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, from cask 13702, bottled at 55.5%, one of 432 bottles. Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

Distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, for an oily smoke that leans to lemon and brine. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

At 55.5%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. Peat, smoked fish and a citrus oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.