Caol Ila 12 Years Old (55.8%)

Feis Ile 2017

700ml / 55.8%

Single Malt

$372

This Caol Ila comes from the distillery, a 12 year old, at 55.8%. The peat here is bright and lemony over an oily, maritime body. Water comes from Loch nam Ban, above the distillery. A workhorse of the blending halls and a favourite of malt drinkers. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. This is a finely judged Islay single malt.

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SKU CIL019 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

Caol Ila from the distillery, a 12 year old, at 55.8%, 1500 bottles in all. Caol Ila wears its Islay smoke more lightly than its southern neighbours. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

Made from medium phenol malt on soft Loch nam Ban water, for the clean island smoke prized by blenders. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. Through the integration phase spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as the guaiacol phenols mellow into a softer smoke. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. Years in oak round the smoke, the peat mellowing while the brine stays.

Undiluted at 55.8%, it is powerful. A smoky, briny coastal character, with a light bourbon sweetness. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. It finishes smoky, oily and bright. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.