Caol Ila 1984

23 year old Islay 57.3 % vol

1 of only 232 bottles from cask no. 6262

This unusual old Caol Ila is a well-preserved old sea-dog, recalling his briny youth in mellow old age. The whisky comes from a refill American hogshead, and is burnished gold in colour. The first nose is mellow and reminiscent of old sail-cloth, with salty, mineral-like notes, acid drops (lending freshness and vitality), and a dusty drawer in an antique desk. The taste at natural strength is sweet with bath salts. Both the canvas notes and the bath salts emerge more strongly when water is added, with some putty and an old cigar box. A voluptuous mouthfeel; a big, sweet flavour and a very long finish, with traces of cheese-cloth from a smoked cheese in the aftertaste.

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