Port Askaig 30 Years Old SMS Harbour (Speciality Drinks Ltd)

A Caol Ila drawn by the bottler Speciality Drinks Ltd, bottled at 51.1%. Caol Ila was rebuilt in the 1970s into the large distillery it is today. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit.

It was worked from peated malt for the lighter Islay style, for the light, maritime smoke Caol Ila is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, the oak lending vanilla and a little cream. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice) over the merest whisper of peat. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way.

At a hearty 51.1% it carries real weight. Smoke, grapefruit and a maritime salt, with a quiet vanilla under the smoke. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. A smoky, oily warmth lingers with lemon and salt. This is a lemony, coastal Islay single malt.