Caol Ila 40 Years Old (The Kinship)

A 40 year old Caol Ila, from the independent Hunter Laing, bottled at 51.8%, one of 183 bottles. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

This was made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, giving a bright, citrus driven peat. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. 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. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Its peated character is built on malt smoked to a medium level of phenols.

At 51.8% without water it is rich and full. A bonfire smoke with lemon and sea salt, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is an elegant Islay single malt.