Labour Of Love of Bruichladdich Distillery by Philippe Grenade
June 17, 2014
Connemara Peated whiskey review
June 19, 2014Caol Ila 12 year old review
Caol Ila means “Sound of Islay” in Gaelic. Their whisky is mainly used for blending, ingredient for Johnnie Walker, Bells and Big Peat for example. Only 5% of Caol Ila whisky is used for single malts. The distillery is located near Port Askaig at the North of Islay, overlooking the cove and the Paps of southern Jura. It was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson.
Their whisky is considered as one of the lighter Islay whiskies but the reality is, Caol Ila produces big peated characters as well. I’d say their whisky is a bit light but other Islay distilleries have toned the trademark heavily peated Islay character down a bit. At the end of the day, the difference is not that big between Caol Ila and the heavy hitters of peat (Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg).
Caol Ila 12 year old single malt isn’t one the best ones that Islay can offer but it is a great showing from the islands of peat. Nice addition to the peaty world with different kind of nuances, than some other Islay distilleries have to offer. Caol Ila 12YO has been chill-filtered and colored, with maturation in Ex-Boubon Hogsheads.
After I revisited this dram, it felt even better than before. This peated malt is a great combination of great smoky and peaty notes mixed together with fresh and light fruity notes. This time I had to give it a higher score, it was much better than I remembered.
SNATCH of Islay!
In some ways it’s like the movie Snatch. A good but not the greatest film in Guy Ritchie’s production history. Well, Snatch might not be the best reference out there, because it still is harsh and violent, while Caol Ila 12 yrs is sweet and sophisticated for a peated whisky.
But then again, Caol Ila 12YO does give you pretty heavy peppery smoke and peat along the way, behind its subtle cover.
Caol Ila 12YO Scoring
89
2 Comments
Nice to get someone else’s take on this amazing dram. I know, it’s chill filtered, lightly coloured perhaps, but it’s a fact that after all the exotic Ardbegs, the limited editions of Lagavulin, the progressive Bruichladdichs, the burnt engine oil Octomores and the burnt porridge Kilchoman’s, I find myself coming back, time and time again to the Caol Ila 12 (and 18 Year Old!). It shouldn’t be my favourite Islay dram, but it is! Incidentally, I’ve had many independent bottlings of the Caol Ila but I still prefer the official 12 YO. PS. I once bought a very expensive unpeated version at the distillery. Interesting take on the Caol Ila signature flavour but I’ll stick to the standard 12 YO and 18 YO, thanks.
Thanks for the comment Reb, Caol Ila definitely is easy to get back to!