Caol Ila 1982 Archives Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Islay

Brand: Caol Ila 1982 (Archives)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  30 Years

ABV:  51.2 %

Colour: Pale Straw/Chardonnay

Nose: About a month ago I tasted the Caol Ila 1990 Archives and liked it a lot. At that time I was greeted by Juicy Peat but that's not at all the case here. An array of Fruits is my first impression. I get Pineapple, Mango, Melon, Pear, Red Fruit, Banana and Green Apples. The Nose is almost mellow with the Peat and light Smoke woven in very nicely. But there's more to this Nose. Over time I also get Olive Oil, Lemon-Pepper, Honey, Mineral Tones, lovely French Salted Butter from Normandy, light Iodine, Sour Bread, Malt, Tea, Oak, Vanilla and a sprinkle of Aniseed. Very pleasant, not at all aggressive and with all Aromas nicely integrated. It lacks the raw Power of the 1990 but it's equally good.  

Palate: Fruity with Lemon, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Cherries and other Red Fruits, Banana and Pear. I also get light Smoke, Peat and Iodine, Ashes, Honey, Pepper, Licorice, Salt, Oak and Caramel. I must confess I was ever so slightly disappointed. I had expected a tad more complexity after the very nice Nose. In a blind tasting session I could have very easily identified this as an Islay with Red Wine finishing.  

Finish: Middle-Long and more convincing with Grapefruit, Caramel, light Peat, slightly Bitter Almonds, Red Fruit, Oak, Ashes, Salt and Pepper.  

I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets more Malt, Floral Tones and Honey. Some Peach as well. On the Palate and in the Finish the Fruit and Spices are enhanced. You can play with a couple of drops here. As usual, I prefer to taste it neat.

Rating: 88

Nose: 23 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 22 - Overall: 22

General Remarks: This Caol Ila 1982 is released by Archives. Archives is the relatively young own label of Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase.com. This whisky was distilled in 1982 and bottled at Cask Strength in 2012. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead with the Cask Number 758 out of which 207 bottles were obtained by Whiskybase. This whisky was not coloured artificially and is un-chillfiltered. It is priced at around 170 US Dollars. 

Caol Ila is Gaelic for Sound of Islay (Islay Strait). From the Still House of the distillery you have a wonderful view on this Strait and the Isle of Jura. Caol Ila was founded in 1846, was rebuilt in 1974 and nowadays forms part of the Diageo Group.

Drinking Experience Neat: Very Good

Conclusion: The extra 8 years in the Ex-Bourbon hogshead have clearly mellowed down the spirit. Gone are the Alcohol and the Raw but Juicy Peat from the 1990. Instead you get lots of (Tropical) Fruit. Very little Oak despite the 30 years. I really loved the Nose and the Salted Butter is amazing! But on the Palate the Fruit gets a bit too dominant as far as I'm concerned. I would have loved to see a bit more Peat and Maritime Notes there for balance. Still, it's a thoroughly enjoyable Single Malt of course. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                     May 22, 2013