Caol Ila 40 Years Old 1980 Cask #MoS 20015 (Malts of Scotland)

This Caol Ila was bottled by the bottler Malts of Scotland, a 40 year old, distilled in 1980, from cask MoS 20015, bottled at 50.2%, one of 222 bottles. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

Made from medium peated malt for a clean, smoky spirit, building the elegant Islay smoke at its heart. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

At its natural 50.2% it is concentrated. Wood smoke, lemon zest and brine, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. Ash, lemon and brine draw out the close. This is an Islay malt that wears its smoke lightly.