Caol Ila 40 Years Old ElD The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special (Elixir)

A 40 year old Caol Ila from Sukhinder Singh's Elixir Distillers, bottled at 49.1%, one of 108 bottles. Caol Ila is one of the largest malt distilleries in all of Scotland. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

The spirit was drawn off a high cut from peated barley, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice) over the merest whisper of peat. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine.

Undiluted at 49.1%, it is powerful. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.