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smoky
oily
herbs
cinnamon
peaty
spicy
black pepper
sweet
phenols
Spiral Caol Ila 12 Year Old
Caol Ila
12 Year Old
Tasting Notes
Appearance / Colour
Pale Straw
 
Smell / Nose / Aroma
Signature smoke with hints of tobacco and herbs, boiled sweets
 
Flavour / Taste / Palate 
Deep peated flavour with a richer sweetness and notes of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg spices 
 
Finish
Lingering peat combined with more spicy cinnamon
Price:
$72.99
Sale ends in 4 days
The Islay Youngster.
 
The Caol Ila Distillery was founded in 1846 by Hector Handerson on the Isle of Islay, in a location overlooking the strait between Islay and Jura, hence the name which derived from Gaeliec Caol Ìle, meaning Sound of Islay or literary, Islay Strait. Over the years Caol Ila has changed owners numerious times, eventually it became part of Diageo.
 
Caol Ila 12 Year Old is a malt that takes you back to the coastal shores it comes from. Hailing from Islay, this is a smoky and sweet expression, a classic combination that Caol Ila 12 nails perfectly. There is also the slightest hint of herbs and spices from nose to finish, adding a smooth complexity that piques the interest of the taste buds in just the right way. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just like every other smoked Islay malt. The Caol Ila 12 Year Old has a lot more to offer than just peat.
 
  • Style
    Single Malt Whisky
  • Region
    Islay
  • Country
    Scotland
  • Alcohol
    43%
  • Distillery
    Caol Ila
  • Bottler
    Caol Ila
  • Age
    12 Year Old

Caol Ila

12 Year Old

(0.75l, 43%)


8.1/10
Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Caol Ila 12 Year Old
Polona
Polona,
Gentle straight peat - fresh hay, citrus and sweet. Slightly medicinal until well aired. Balanced and quite complex with long, nice aftertaste
Chris
Chris,
Just the right amount of smoke.
Andrew
Andrew,
Very peaty. Fairly sour with some spice. A lot of brine.
anonymous
anonymous,
One of my favourites...
David
David,
Definite notes of sweet and peaty. I prefer more cinnamon but I am enjoying it.
anonymous
anonymous,
Manque un peu de relief
anonymous
anonymous,
It has a smoky, spicy taste. Not too peaty. Almost like a Glen Livet
Alex
Alex,
The peat flavor is extremely strong, basically overwhelming the other flavors, ruining the experience.
Will
Will,
nice
Eric
Eric,
Caol Ila 12 Year Old is now one of my favorite Islays. Very smooth, great peat, and an amazing smokiness. To me, this is very subtle, yet complex enough to be interesting. Wonderful. I immediately purchased a bottle.
David
David,
An excellent smokey and peaty Islay. Definitely will buy again.
Mel
Mel,
Nose of vanilla and delicious peat. Light mouthfeel with medium finish. Very drinkable for beginners to Islay Scotch.
Stephen
Stephen,
I wasn't impressed. There wasn't anything that really stood out. The oiliness was there, as well as the peat, but nothing to really stand out from the other scotches.
Eric
Eric,
Caol Ila 12 Year Old is one of my favorite single malts. I prefer smoky/peaty/spicy whiskys and this one has an added bonus of being a little stronger than usual.
Craig
Craig,
Wonderful salty smell with a peat rush. One of my favourite Islay malts
Ben
Ben,
If you want smokey and peaty- this is top shelf!
anonymous
anonymous,
Spicy, and nice amount of smoke
anonymous
anonymous,
Delicious, so much value for money. I love all of Islay and the first glass of CI 12 isn't different. Not as smoky and peaty as I remembering Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10, it's in the middle of those and Lagavulin 16 and Bunna 12. I must say that Caol has more to it and to me it's a 'younger Lagavulin'. The balance makes this whisky superb and therefore for the relative cheap price a 9!
anonymous
anonymous,
Not quite as smoky as Laphroaig, but similar in flavor without being quite as harsh on the front end.
anonymous
anonymous,
Mm mm, so good!
Chris
Chris,
I thought the oil, peat and phenols were a bit overpowering in this whiskey.
David
David,
Joy
Giacomo
Giacomo,
PEATY
anonymous
anonymous,
Was my birthday present...love it!!
Dumitru
Dumitru,
Smoky, peaty and smooth one of my favorites.
anonymous
anonymous,
Отлично. Немного грубоват, но я прощаю. За дым, торф и остальные прелести....
Christopher
Christopher,
Character. Best enjoyed on a cold winter evening.
Phillip
Phillip,
Love this scotch. Nice middle of the road Islay. Great flavor and not overly peated.
anonymous
anonymous,
Strong
anonymous
anonymous,
I'm a huge fan of all things Caol Ila. The softest smoke on Islay. Beautiful whisky.
Pawan
Pawan,
Smoky Peaty light
Michael
Michael,
What a great dram! Very balanced and smooth.
anonymous
anonymous,
Соленая сладость, обжигает. Сухой вкус, дубовый, достаточно грубый
Maurizio
Maurizio,
My favorite standard. End of story. :)
Brendan
Brendan,
Smoke sea brine peat and fruit. Pair with a lobster.
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