Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 Bladnoch Forum

Some 10 years ago, you could buy this 30 years old Coal Ila from the Bladnoch Forum for less than 250 EUR. A decade later, that has become quite unthinkable. So I’m happy to have been able to score a sample of this one, although I cannot remember who from… apologies (to the person who sold me the sample, obviously). It’s a single cask at cask strength.

OMG! I put my nose in the glass and my eyes open in pure bliss. I already know that this is a stunner and then some (coming very close to the 25 years old from 1983, released two years prior by the same bottler). Soft peat, mild smoke, but all the more sweet fruit. Think sugared peel of all kinds of citrus fruit – again, I know, it’s just the way it is – and lots of vanilla and buttercups. Outstanding!

Great mouthfeel – even a bit waxy! – in which the sugared citrus peel goes hand-in-glove with smoky iodine. Soft butter, honey and marzipan. Dried seaweeds and some garden herbs. This is truly great. Midpalate the fruit even starts flirting witht he tropics. Wonderful!

The long finish offers a mix of maritime notes and citrus fruit with crystal sugar.

On the nose it reminded me of the 25 years old Caol Ila from the Bladnoch Forum which I just tried, but on the palate and in the finish it surpasses that one with ease. What a grand Caol Ila! Now, where is my ‘to look out for’ list?

Find where to buy Caol Ila whisky