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.
Better and stronger than before. Caol Ila has taken its pants off and wants to fight all the Islay heavies to a phenol showdown. This whisky, contrary to what is happening to most other big name whiskies, is actually improving. I would say this beats the Ardbeg 10 easily, on spirit quality....and is also better than the totally overpriced and overrated Lagavulin 12. Buy this and say NO to overrated, overhyped and overpriced whisky....though admittedly I do remember Caol Ila being cheaper than this a couple of years ago....but at least it's better. Can you say the same Ardbeg, Talisker, Lagavulin? I don't think so....
Great value for peat-lovers out there. Smooth, woody minerals, briney, smokey (gentler than other Islays) with a subtle sweetness. Everything I love about Islay
With the jump in price of the various Laphroaig offerrings and also the better Talisker offerings, the once comparatively pricey Caol Ila has suddenly found itself in the reasonably priced range for its undoubted quality. This is a much more balanced dram than the Laphroaig 10 or Select Cask and has a lot more smoke and balance than any of the NAS Taliskers. Ardbeg 10 is cheaper but not as good. To be honest, if this was $10 cheaper, it would be my go to bottle, as it has the depth of flavor and the right balance of smoke and peat with an appealing sweetness and oily mouthfeel.
Tried many smoky and peaty whiskies from Islay...this seems more unnatural like JW double black. Well for the price almost the same as JW I put 3 and half stars.
Wasn't impressed with first 2 drams. Put it away for a couple of months. Tried it again and WOW! Peety taste and aroma had mellowed considerably. This allowed the briney and sweet flavors to become more pronounced. Enjoyed my next 3 drams with Aurora perfidios 1903 ruby cigars. Excellent taste combination of the Caol Ila mingling with the leathery cocoa and coffee flavord of the Aorora. Returned for the final couple of drams only to discover my oldest teenage son finished it off with a Coca Cola mixer. Jesus wept.
