Caol Ila 12 Years Old (Original Collection)

Original Collection

700ml / 46%

Single Malt

$119

A 12 year old Caol Ila from Scotland’s oldest independent bottler Cadenhead’s, at 46%. Lemon, brine and a clean smoke over an oily body. An east coast Islay distillery on the narrow Sound of Islay. Among the most widely traded of Islay’s single malts. Founded at Port Askaig in 1846, it is Islay’s biggest distillery. This is a bright, coastal Islay malt of poise.

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SKU CIL181 Categories Caol Ila, Islay, Scottish Whisky, Whiskey Brand: Caol Ila

Description

Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's selected this Caol Ila, a 12 year old, bottled at 46%. Caol Ila was rebuilt in the 1970s into the large distillery it is today. A ferry crosses the Sound from Port Askaig to Jura and the mainland.

Run from peated malt through tall stills on Loch nam Ban water, building a refined, maritime peat. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla and a light sweetness under the smoke. Across the integration years the smoke loses its edge as esters and vanillin weave into a smoother, citrussy whole. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island. Phenols from the peat smoke carry the medicinal, lemony edge through the years. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright.

At 46% it is soft, oily and bright. A clean ashy smoke with lime and brine, with a light vanilla and a touch of coconut. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. This is the elegant, lighter side of Islay.