Caol Ila Cask of Distinction 32 Years Old 1990

This 32 year old Caol Ila comes from the distillery itself, from 1990, cask 6223, at 51.5%, 181 bottles in all. Caol Ila is the quiet giant of Islay, vast yet refined. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

The spirit was distilled in tall stills that lend the smoke an oily lightness, building a refined, maritime peat. A long spell in ex-Bourbon oak rounded the spirit gently. At this great, fragile age oxidation has the last word, ethereal esters, beeswax and old polished tannins where the smoke once was. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At a natural 51.5% it is full and oily. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.