Caol Ila 32 Years Old 1992 Whiskyland Chapter Five (Decadent Drinks)

A Caol Ila of a 32 year old chosen by the bottler Decadent Drinks, distilled in 1992, bottled at 51.8%, one of 210 bottles. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on the Isle of Islay. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

It was distilled from medium peated malt in tall copper stills, building a refined, maritime peat. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the make lead. 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. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat.

At its natural 51.8% it is concentrated. Sea spray, smoke and a citrus lift, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a maritime, lemony Islay single malt.