All articles filed in Caol Ila

[40%・12 Years Old・Distilled in 1969・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Hint of ash, with a decent layer of stone fruits.  Certainly has that old time-y charm, chalk and seaweed with some light wild flowers. Smoked mussels, croissant and this delightful charred rice fragrance in the background complimented by the confectionary notes seeping out on the…

Style: Sweet and Creamy Nose: Sweet, rather robust ester and stewed fruits fired up by peat smoke. Grassy brushes, drops of herbal oil. Caramel dip and vanilla cream while amber smoke roasting softly. Powerful aroma. Palate: A mighty punch of stewed tropical fruits, round and robust. Quickly followed by smoke fire and herbal touches. A…

[59.7%・ 19 Years Old・Bottled in 2016・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: The peat smoke politely arrives on scene, smoked trout and iodine fill the room with a touch of anise.  A fireplace getting started by burning scrunched up newspapers. Palate & Finish: Forest berries and sweet peat make for a friendly entry.  A chilli zing brings…

Style: Fruity and Dignified Nose: Refreshing and light-hearted fragrance on the nose. Black pepper and sea spray followed by balmy lemon tea. Stew fruits reduced to puree sweetness, almost winey at times. Subtle tropical fruits and apricots. Another whiff of distant sea breeze fluttering through touches of peat smoke. Sweet, balmy and peppery. Very nice.…

[45.0%・12 Years Old・Distilled in 2003・Bottled in 2016・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release of 4100 Bottles] Nose: Quite naturalistic and primitive with the cowshed vibe laying the groundwork for white pepper and strawberry essence; the fireplace-esque sensation has been kept at bay, with just a hint of creaminess foreboding what’s to come. Palate & Finish: Strawberry cream…

[61.5%・15 Years Old・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Quite spirity off the mark, juniper berries with an emphasis on the rawness; splashed with notes of blazed oak staves and brine solution.  Slight hint of green apples with a filtered whiff of coal smoke that makes its obligated entry but doesn’t quite give that thrilling sensation. Palate…

[53.4%・18 Years Old・Silvano Samaroli Bottling・Cask 10740] Nose: A soothing wave of peat carries lime essence across, the sea breeze bringing along hint of seaweed, bits of smoked biltong and a sprinkle of sichimi spices. Palate & Finish: A voluminous delivery of lemony oiliness that glides and coats the tastebuds effortlessly, a real showstopper. The peat…

Tasting Notes: Caol Ila Aged 30 Years (Special Release 2014) ☆☆ Style: Elegant and Complex Nose: Fragrant pine aroma with fresh tropical fruits notes. Topping with vanilla whipped cream then the drier side slowly revealed itself. Timber shavings and dry spices rising from ashy burnt coal. Coastal peat with a wink of limestone. Palate: A…