Caol Ila 35 Year Old 1982 Diageo Special Release 2018

When I tried the Caol Ila 30 Year Old earlier this year – which was released in Diageo’s Special Release in 2014 – I described it as ‘perfect’ and plundered my savings account to get me a bottle. Now that Port Ellen and Brora are not part of this coveted series, another top malt had to step in. It’s this Caol Ila, currently the oldest official bottling of this Ileach.

OMG! The scent of Port Askaig with its salty breeze, rusted tools on the quay, threatening clouds in the sky, a bonfire on the beach, lemon juice and oyster sap, dark fruit, farmer’s butter, menthol, pineapple, apricot, furniture polish, wood shavings… I could go on. This has everything the 30 Year Old already boasted, but with more finesse. More delicacy. More outspoken. Magical.

Grand! While the very aromatic nose pretended some delicacy, this malt is no holds barred on the palate. Powerful, smoky, spicy, bittersweet. Lots of citrus and salted butter, but also hints of tropical fruit (think pineapple, mango, banana) and even pistachio nuts. A bitterness emerges, but makes for a good balance.

Wonderfully long finish – starts smoky, then turns sweeter and silky soft before gently fading.

I realize 750 EUR is a lot of money. A whole lot. For just one bottle of whisky. And it’s not an Auchentoshan, is it? Nevertheless, Piggy bank helped me out and I never looked back.

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