Caol Ila 36 Years Old 1980 Cask #DL 11491 (XOP)

A 36 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 1980 from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, from cask DL 11491, bottled at 57.4%, one of 172 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.

The spirit was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, shaping the lighter side of Islay. A second fill bourbon cask kept the oak in the background. 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. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years.

At a full 57.4% it is bold and oily. Ashy smoke, lemon oil and a saline tang, with vanilla and a honeyed edge from the cask. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is one of the most versatile of the Islay malts.