Caol Ila 33 Years Old 1984 (Authentic Collection)

From Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, a 33 year old Caol Ila, distilled in 1984, bottled at 54.5%, one of 144 bottles. Caol Ila is the quiet giant of Islay, vast yet refined. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

This was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. 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. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style.

Undiluted at 54.5%, it is powerful. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.