Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Distillery Tasting notes supplied by Diageo

Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 year Old

Launched in June 2002, this is a highly prized, hidden gem that continues the traditions of Caol Ila™.

Strength: 43% ABV

Appearance: Pale straw.

Nose: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist's mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old-fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness (lychees?), a trace of olive oil, and after a while pot pourri or scented hand-soap.

Body: Firm, smooth, light to medium.

Palate: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity, some salt and still the sweeter notes. A complex balance of primary tastes.

Finish: Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.

Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky  18 Year old 

A wonderfully balanced Islay malt from an increasingly popular distillery. If you haven't discovered Caol Ila™ yet, this hidden treasure will show you why it’s in increasing demand.

Strength: 43% ABV

Appearance: Pale straw.

Palate: The taste starts a little sweeter than the 12-year-old. Very pleasant, light-flavoured smokiness. A complex balance of primary tastes.

Finish: Sweet-smokey, lingering finish

Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillers Edition

An extraordinarily stylish and complex double-matured expression of Caol Ila; the Moscatel cask wood not over-evident; richly flavoured yet also drying and finely balanced.

Strength: 43% ABV
Appearance: Clear gold

Nose: Wonderfully concentrated pure, clean Caol Ila – peaty and medicinal, with rich fruit, spicy and fragrant. With water, the fragrant smokiness comes singing through.

Body: Medium.

Palate: Sweetness and maltiness strike first, then are quickly overwhelmed by peat smoke and intense, clean, crisp flavours. Caol Ila’s signature smoky bonfires are here, and build to quite a size. Overall, drying, in a beautifully balanced, complex, elegant development with cinnamon spice.

Finish: Long, rounded, robust and mulit-layered.

Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cask Strength

It's usual with cask strength malts to add water, but don't add too much. This bottling is surprisingly mellow for the strength.

Strength: 55% ABV

Appearance: Very pale straw.

Palate: Strong, clean, assertive in flavour, with a smooth, lightly sweet start.

Finish: A medium length salt/smoky finish.

Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky 25 year old

Much sought after by connoisseurs, this is the first limited annual release from the original distiller's remaining stocks. The oldest bottling ever offered by the distillers with only 6,000 numbered bottles worldwide.

Strength: 59.4% ABV

Appearance: Bright full gold.

Palate: Sweetly floral, pine nuts, honey, medicinal and very maritime. Acidity and saltiness, with some centre palate fizz. Wicker chairs and embrocation.

Finish: Plenty of smoke in the medium to long finish, leaving a lingering, dry, barbecue aftertaste. Sustained and mustardy.