Caol Ila Rare Malts Selection 21 Years Old 1977

This distillery bottling of Caol Ila is a 21 year old, from 1977, at 61.3%. Caol Ila stands below a steep brae on Islay's rugged east shore. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

Here the spirit was run through tall copper stills that keep the smoke light, giving the lighter Islay style its shape. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the spirit. Oxidative maturity brings a waxy, fruity depth, ethyl esters of orchard fruit building as the peat turns gentle and coastal. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

Bottled at a cask strength 61.3%, it is intense. A clean peat with sea salt and citrus, with a light bourbon sweetness. A maritime salt and a lemon lift run through it. A long, coastal finish carries a peaty warmth. This is the smoky malt of the Sound of Islay.