Caol Ila 32 Years Old 1984 Old & Rare A Platinum Selection (Hunter Laing)

The independent Hunter Laing released this Caol Ila, a 32 year old, distilled in 1984, bottled at 50.6%, one of 79 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

This was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. At an ethereal, fragile age the spirit turns delicate, sotolon lending a maple and old oak depth as beeswax and a ghost of smoke linger. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke.

At a natural 50.6% it is full and oily. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with honeyed oak underneath. Lemon, olive oil and a soft ash run through the middle. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.