Caol Ila 150th Anniversary Whisky 20 Year Old · 1976 Vintage

Colour

Deep amber with coppery glow and mahogany edges, a sun-warmed honey-gold core.

Nose

Coastal smoke and brine rise from the glass, with iodine and sea-spray behind the peat. Sherry-matured notes bring dark fruit—raisin, fig—and a whisper of treacle, mingling with cocoa, toasted almond and vanilla. Lemon zest sparkles through the depth, while a mineral, maritime backbone keeps it taut and refined. An Islay classic—smoky, saline, and captivatingly sweet on the nose.

Palate

An oily, intense palate of peat smoke and iodine, balanced by sherry-dark sweetness. Rich dried fruit—raisin and fig—melds with cocoa and espresso, while orange zest adds brightness. Maritime brine and a mineral spine thread through the mid-palate, with peppery spice warming the mouth. The high ABV coats with velvet heat, delivering a long finish of smoke, dried fruit, and salted caramel.

Finish

An expansive, smoke-kissed finish where seaside iodine and peat linger, slowly yielding to rich dried fruit, cocoa and spice. Sherry sweetness coats the exit, with velvety oak and a final whisper of salt and sea air.