Whisky: Caol Ila 19 Year (1980), Cooper's Choice

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 43%

Cask: Oak

Age: 19 Years (Distilled 1980, Bottled 2000)

Nose: Maritime and coastal, hints of tar, dried grass, old wood, pipe tobacco; subtle pastries and pineapple jam.

Palate: Light-bodied, lemon and tropical citrus, dried grass, maritime, minerals, tobacco, dank herbal finish.

Finish: Long and gentle with coastal vibes, fruit, grass, and more musty herbs.

Score: 7 (84)

Mental Image: Late 90s Evening with Enya on Repeat

Narrative & Notes: Maritime with the soft sweetness found while strolling across coastal dunes with hints of tar, through dried grass, and reaching a bleached wooden shipwreck. Wispy pipe tobacco smoke lingered in the air while unpacking malty scones, pineapple jam, and lilikoi butter. Light-bodied with beautiful citrusy lemon and pineapple cakes enjoyed on a picnic blanket. Dried grass and mellow oceanside salt and beachy minerals faded as more tobacco and brine emerged. Barnacle-crusted driftwood and a touch of tar led into dank herbs and the sweet, dry spice of an old cigar box and well-worn ashtray. The finish was long with gentle coastal vibes, a touch of fruit and grass, and more musty herbs.

Wow, this was beautiful and reminded me quite a bit of the Caol Ila 25 Year, but with an old-fashioned musty-dank herbal quality on the finish. I associate that element with older malts, and this was the first 80s Caol Ila where I encountered it—though this was the earliest distillation date by several years. The aroma was soft and simple, and the palate returned similar notes. Despite being bottled nearly a quarter of a century ago, the flavors were still vibrant and lively with a good structure.

Overall, quality fare from yesteryear— the 1980s were tumultuous for the whisky industry, but a cracking period for Caol Ila.