Caol Ila Rare Malts Selection 20 Years Old 1975 (61.12%)

A 20 year old Caol Ila bottled by the distillery, from 1975, at 61.12%. Caol Ila is a workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay.

Made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. An American oak cask shaped it, soft and sweet beneath the peat. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed and ellagitannin tannins lend a polished, drying frame to the smoke. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

At its natural 61.12% it is concentrated. A fresh peat smoke over oily lemon, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is clean and coastal, the peat and lemon to the fore. A long maritime smoke closes it. This is a refined, citrus driven Islay smoke.