Caol Ila 35yo

A very old Caol Ila, slowly matured in refill casks to let the clean distillate evolve without excessive oak influence: as it often happens with very old malts, it’s subtle and it requires time in the glass to fully express itself. The nose is waxy, honeyed, with hints of propolis and balsamic herbs: it is only moderately peated. At the palate, though, it reveals its Islay origins: while the years have slightly tamed the smoke and the tarry notes, the impact is still powerful. Most importantly, it’s a power that grows gradually but implacably rather than with a quick but short initial burst. The malty sweetness, the smoke, the beeswax, the pepper and even a hint of tannins build in a vertiginous crescendo, for a very refined malt that still packs a punch.