Caol Ila 35 Years Old ElD The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special (Elixir)

Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers released this Caol Ila, a 35 year old, bottled at 50.9%, one of 144 bottles. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for a clean, coastal, oily make. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At a natural 50.9% it is full and oily. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The close is long, smoke over a citrus lift. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.