Caol Ila 32 Years Old 1982 Smoke on the Water (Wemyss)

A 32 year old Caol Ila from the bottler Wemyss Malts, bottled at 46%, one of 255 bottles. Caol Ila sits on the shore at Port Askaig, on the narrow Sound of Islay. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

Worked from peated barley through the distillery's tall stills, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. Ethereal and fragile, decades have drawn the spirit to a waxy, tropical delicacy, sotolon and old oak over a soft mineral smoke. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with honeyed oak underneath. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.