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Caol Ila
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Caol Ila, 1993 Distillers Edition (Scotland) 
Diageo’s ‘Distillers Edition’ range sets the benchmark for whisky finishes, and the latest edition, a 1993 Caol Ila, simply serves to emphasise that fact. According to Diageo maturation expert Jim Beveridge, “The new Caol Ila is a genuinely exciting expression. Most of the other Distillers Editions focus on American Oak. For this we focused on European Oak, and the combined effect of the Moscatel cask we used and European Oak works well with a peated, complex spirit of distinctive Islay character.
The Islay malt has spent six months being finished in the sweet dessert wine casks, and the result is a decidedly different Caol Ila, with a sweet and gummy nose, filled with cloves and a hint of smoke. Cloves continue to dominate on the palate, followed by sweet, fruitier notes. The finish is long, drying and peppery, with a final hint of reassuring peat.
43.0% ABV, 70cl, £36.95, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Caol Ila, 1995 Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur’s Choice (Scotland)
As Diageo increases the availability and promotion of single malt whisky from its Caol Ila distillery on Islay, so the brand is becoming better known internationally. Caol Ila is the largest distillery on Islay in terms of capacity, with the capability of producing more than 3.6 million litres of spirit per year.
This independent bottling of a 1995 Caol Ila is from Elgin-based Gordon & MacPhail Ltd, and the nose offers sweet, fruity peat smoke, with a background of oil and brine. Water releases more floral characteristics. On the palate, sweetness is again to the fore, with spices and developing maritime notes. Water teases out cooked fruits. Fresh pears and Germolene characterise the finish, with water highlighting dry oak.
40.0% ABV, 70cl, £27.50, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Caol Ila, 25-Year-Old (Scotland)
Part of the 2006 Diageo Special Releases series, with 6,000 bottles produced. Caol Ila was founded in 1846, though the present distillery dates mainly from the mid 1970s. It is situated near Port Askaig on Islay, and takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘Sound of Islay’.
The nose is discreet, initially with malt and putty. Then slight brininess develops, followed by fresh, fruity notes. Dry, smoky and citric on the palate, with some Germolene. The finish is lengthy, dry and slightly salty. Moreish.
58.4% ABV, 70cl, £100, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
Caol Ila, 27-year-old (Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #53:139) (Scotland)
Our third offering from the ‘whisky island’ this month is a Caol Ila from a refill Bourbon hogshead, recently bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. It is the oldest Islay ever released by the Society, and their 139th cask from this ever-popular distillery.
The nose is delicious; mature yet fresh, with rock-pools on a seashore, bonfire smoke and tar. The well-balanced palate is quite delicate and yields fresh fruit and salt flavours, with a hint of black pepper. The finish is lengthy, with the bonfire now smouldering gently. Another lovely dram from this extremely consistent distillery.
(256 bottles)
55.2% ABV, 70cl, £82.00, SMWS. |  |
Caol Ila, 8-year-old (Diageo Special Releases) (Scotland)
Very different from its usual ‘house’ character. This is lightly-peated Caol Ila ‘Highland Style’ – batches of which have been produced annually since 1999, with the exception of the last few years, when the high demand for peated malts has precluded its distillation. It has been matured in first fill Bourbon casks.
Fresh, fragrant and floral on the nose, with succulent barley and butter notes. Lightly oily on the palate, perfumed, malty and slightly herbal, with fresh fruits. Water releases sweeter and slightly smoky notes. The finish is quite short and drying, with gentle spices and caramel.
(5,664 bottles)
64.2% ABV, 70cl, £44.95, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Caol Ila, 8-Year-Old Special Release (Scotland)
The youngest and least expensive Special Release on offer, this Caol Ila is something really special as it is an example of the ‘Highland’ style of unpeated Caol Ila, made in limited quantities each year and usually destined for the blending vats. Few of us have previously had the opportunity to compare it with its smokier sibling.
The characteristic Caol Ila soapy, resiny nose is there, plus fresh fruits and spice. The palate is distinctly lively, with a fruity sherbet fizz. Lingering fruit and finally pepperiness characterise the finish. Fascinating to compare with the ‘regular’ Caol Ila, and I’d love to try it at 12. A malt worthy of release in its own right, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon! 12,990 bottles.
58.9% ABV, 70cl, £32.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Caol Ila, Cask Strength (Scotland)
Fresh peat, sweet malt, fish oil, gentle smoke and a touch of brine on the nose. The palate is smoky, dry, spicy and intense, with a slightly waxy mouth feel. The finish is long, peaty and peppery, with fish oil reappearing at the very last.
This expression of Caol Ila has a more youthful feel to it than the12-year-old house bottling at 43%, but it is still a powerful, profound and excellent example of one of the very best Islay malts.
55.0% ABV, , £33.95, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Caol Ila, Diageo Manager's Choice 1997 (Scotland)
This variant of the Islay single malt emanates from a European oak bodega Sherry cask.
The nose evokes smoked fish cooked in butter, a whiff of chlorine and brine, with contrasting sweet, fragrant notes of Sherry and Turkish delight. Fabric sticking plasters, pine needles and wood smoke when water is added. Full-bodied and phenolic, with pine, citrus fruits and nutty peat on the palate. The finish is long and slightly earthy, with sweet peat, pepper and spice.
(366 bottles)
58.0% ABV, 70cl, £300.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
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