Caol Ila 33 Years Old (The Kinship)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the independent Hunter Laing, a 33 year old, bottled at 44.5%, one of 300 bottles. Caol Ila is the lighter, more elegant face of Islay smoke. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

This was drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. 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. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

At an easy 44.5% it is gentle. A coastal peat with citrus and pepper, with a light bourbon sweetness. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.