An Islay classic that we will never get enough of. Caol Ila 12 year old is the entry-level bottling from the Caol Ila distillery, launched in June of 2002. Caol Ila is the largest of the Islay distilleries by output and so it’s a favourite of brands, independent bottlers, and blends like Johnnie Walker.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old appeals to connoisseurs while also making the perfect entry to the world of peated whisky for newcomers, with its beautifully measured and mellow smokiness and a rich array of seaside flavours. It’s a serial award-winner that works great in cocktails (we recommend a smoky Highball), as well as being a good whisky to pair with salty and savoury foods.
Fresh, herbal. Rubbed peppermint leaves, stemmy, damp grass, smoky. Oily, cigar leaves, smoked ham, hickory. Lemon peels at the harbour.
Good body, oily, tar, elegant smoke. Hints of boiled sweets.
Long, peppery, spicy warmth, smoke.
Not particularly noteworthy. A competent whisky, lacking personality.
Tastes like chloroseptic spray. I paid how much for this?????
I have been nursing a bottle of Caol Ila 12 for the past 6 months. It just hit me how great this stuff really is. It has an oily brineyness to it that somehow remains delicate in nature throughout the whole experience. Like zesty fruit meets oily brine. Special stuff that will definitely make an impression. Plenty of medicinal peatiness. Great for colder weather. "Bonfires on a New England beach in Fall" - to quote Ralfy
Somewhere between lagavulin and talisker you'll find this baby. It has a salty smoky nose and body en has a long and satisfying aftertaste. Second bottle for me and certainly not the last bottle. Not as sweet as a highland park 12, but has more balls!
My brother in law brought Caol Ila and I brought Glenfiddich to my daughter's wedding on Martha's Vineyard last month. Caol Ila was wonderful and to my taste others do not measure up.
