Caol Ila Rare Malts Selection 20 Years Old 1975

This distillery bottling of Caol Ila is a 20 year old, from 1975, at 61.18%. Caol Ila sends more spirit to independent bottlers than almost any malt. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends.

The spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. An American oak hogshead added vanilla and a light toffee. Through oxidative maturity the phenols mellow and esters concentrate, citrus turning to candied lemon over a soft peat. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. 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.

Undiluted at 61.18%, it is powerful. Peat smoke, citrus and a soft oil, with a creamy oak note. The texture is oily, the smoke threaded with citrus. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is a clean Islay smoke from the island's largest distillery.