Caol Ila 1975-1997 21 Year Old UD Rare Malts Selection 61.3%

This is the ultimate Caol Ila bottle, with a rare and distinctive character. Caol Ila CAOL ILA 1975-1997 21yo UD RARE MALTS SELECTION 61.3% The aroma features ripe citrus, simple barley notes, a cool metallic touch, sweet vanilla and honey, fish smoke, strong peat with some tar-like elements. On the palate, it's spicy and tingling with a texture that lingers on the tongue, slightly concentrated with a chewy mouthfeel. Light citrus sweetness and good acidity, umami from seafood notes, subtle cool metallic tones, smoky with a long finish. 【Very Good】 This is nearly an official bottling of Caol Ila from 1975, aged for 21 years and released by UD (United Distillers), the dominant player at the time as part of their Rare Malts Selection. The nose combines citrus fruits, good barley notes, a faint metallic touch, the characteristic seafood nuances of Islay, and deep, strong peat - all elements that evoke classic Caol Ila in a cohesive way. Despite being over 20 years old, the palate retains a fresh and spicy character that feels surprisingly vibrant. The tingling texture suggests aging effects post-bottling. It has a concentrated, chewy mouthfeel with dry, refined sweetness and good acidity, along with strong peat notes. The integration of these elements makes it a high-proof whisky that's surprisingly pleasant to drink. This bottle is packed with classic Caol Ila characteristics, and was exceptionally delicious. While Islay as a region doesn't often produce bottles that stand out so distinctly, this one has both strong overall quality and a slightly exceptional character.