Caol Ila 37 Years Old 1981 (Cadenhead’s)

A 37 year old Caol Ila, this distilled in 1981 from Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, bottled at 53.4%, one of 162 bottles. Caol Ila has distilled at Port Askaig since the middle of the 19th century. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

It was distilled with a long fermentation and a clean cut, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. 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. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols.

At a natural 53.4% it is full and oily. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.