Caol Ila 35 Years Old 1984 Cask #DL 13081 (XOP)

The Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing bottled this Caol Ila, a 35 year old, distilled in 1984, from cask DL 13081, bottled at 48.6%, one of 268 bottles. Caol Ila is among the most widely traded of Islay's single malts. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

The spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

At a full 48.6% it is bold and oily. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a creamy oak note. The palate is oily and smoky, with a green citrus lift. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.