Caol Ila Rare Malts Selection 23 Years Old 1978

An official Caol Ila, a 23 year old, from 1978, at 61.7%. Caol Ila takes its name from the Gaelic for the Sound of Islay. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

Drawn off the distillery's six tall stills from peated barley, for a smoky spirit with a citrus lift. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Oxidative and evaporative ageing turns the malt rich and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple) over the softened smoke. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style.

Undiluted at 61.7%, it is powerful. A lemony Islay smoke over olive oil, with a gentle oak sweetness beneath. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. This is a clean, smoky Islay single malt from Caol Ila.