Caol Ila 1983 30 Year Old - 2014 Special Release

The oldest ever Caol Ila released by the original distillers - now released in the '2014 Special Releases' from Diageo.

Distilled in 1983, bottled 2014 at 30 Years of age.
One of only 7638 bottles available worldwide.

Official notes:
Appearance - Clear golden honey. Good beading
Nose - Punchy, with masses of smoke, in spite of its age! Slightly compressed at first then, once the aroma settles, the smoke is first sweet (caramelised dark toffee or toasted marshmallows) then distant and vegetal (extinguished garden bonfire). Above this float lighter notes of fresh garden mint and softly acetic red berries, as in a raspberry vinegar dressing. Eventually and from a pleasing malty base a soft, newly cleansed smoky pungency develops, with hints of fresh pine, ozone and sweet smoke.
Palate - Tongue coating, sweet then somewhat salty and smoky-clean, with just a hint of struck match.
Finish - Long and dry, with an appetising bittersweet character that mixes aromatic herbs and liquorice with maritime notes and pungent peat-smoke.

From Caol Ila Distillery, Islay. Part of the 2014 Diageo Releases.