Caol Ila 1979-2005 25 Year Old Official Bottling 58.4%

This was an exceptionally well-crafted official Caol Ila. Caol Ila CAOL ILA 1979-2005 25yo OB 58.4% The aroma features sweet and citrusy notes of orange, vanilla, a slightly damp grain character, briny sea breeze with a faint metallic touch, good peat smoke, and an unexpected depth of complexity. On the palate, it expands with a rich, aromatic profile of orange peel, a subtle creaminess, umami that lingers on the tongue, a sweet and velvety texture with good acidity, savory seafood dashi umami, powerful peat smoke, and a complex, weighty character with a long finish. [Very Good/Excellent] Bottled in 2005, this is a cask strength Caol Ila aged for 25 years from the 1979 vintage. While not overtly matured or excessively fruity, it carries a pleasant citrus freshness, a slightly damp and refined grain character, a faint metallic note reminiscent of Islay's sea breeze. True to classic Caol Ila vatting, the aroma is complex and deep with a noticeable thickness. The palate reveals an aromatic richness rarely found in standard Caol Ila, suggesting both aging and natural evolution over time. The sweet, velvety texture is balanced with good acidity, enhanced by the umami of grain and dashi. It offers a complex yet powerfully Islay-esque cask strength character, making for a stable and delicious whisky. While Caol Ila rarely produces standout bottles, this one is truly exceptional. It perfectly embodies the classic official bottling of Caol Ila, making it a special expression.