Caol Ila 12 Year

A classic. I reviewed this spirit years ago, and my previous take was very bland, so I'm starting over with this bottling. It's a change from some of the bolder Islay malts, but it's one I've consistently appreciated. Smell: Black bean, red pepper chili. Sea salt, peat char, seaweed, campfire smoke, and iodine. Orange and tangerine citrus with honeydew and watermelon. Black currant. Salted caramel and saltwater taffy. Vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, and malt emerge as it opens. Milk chocolate. Sulfur and ash. Taste: Ballpark soft pretzel. Sea salt, seaweed, and iodine. Peat smoke and campfire smoke. Apple, pear, grape, orange citrus, watermelon, nectarine, and apricot. Black bean, red pepper chili. Mint. Cinnamon and black pepper. Milk chocolate. Finish: Caramel, saltwater taffy. Sea salt, seaweed, and peat. Milk and dark chocolate plus caramel. Ballpark soft pretzel contributes to the saltiness. Sugar cookie. Cinnamon, black and white pepper, and oak. It's a medium-short length. This whisky is truly overlooked. It offers everything. The confectionary sweetness. A wide spectrum of fruit flavors. The distinct Islay character. Uniquely, the latter quality doesn't overwhelm the sweet and fruity notes in any way. It's among the most balanced Islay malts available, and it's a real shame this distillery is mainly used for Johnnie Walker products. And I mean that sincerely. I've sampled the 15, the 18, the Stitchell Reserve. I seek out anything labeled Caol Ila, and I've yet to find much. For $64, this is only $2 more than I paid over six years ago. The price hasn't been inflated. The quality hasn't dropped—in fact, I liked it more than I did back then. My sole criticism is that the company isn't prioritizing this distillery. They're actually doing less because those other expressions I mentioned were limited releases not seen in nearly a decade. Get with it, company. 4.5/5 for this one.

Continuing my hot-weather peated scotch tasting this evening with Caol Ila, which I haven't had in a while and also haven't reviewed. It presents a golden hue similar to Chardonnay. However, that's where the similarity ends: the nose offers pear, tangerine, and salinity alongside a gentle smoky peat. More smokiness rests on a creamy mouthfeel with some additional sweetness, reminiscent of crème brûlée. The finish has some smoke, more sweetness, and a bitter char note. Caol Ila doesn't measure up to the showiness of its larger Islay counterparts, but its subtlety secures its place both as a solo single malt and as an element in Johnnie Walker blends. 43% ABV. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Caol Ila Workshop Scottish distillery Peated Islay Whiskeys Last Thursday, whiskey expert PJota Tomé conducted a wonderful workshop at ABS Minas (Brazilian Association of Sommeliers) focusing on Islay peat from the Scottish distillery Caol Ila. ABS Minas collaborator, Ingá mineral water, ensured all attendees stayed well-hydrated. A blind tasting featured peated expressions of 4 different single malts and 1 blended malt. Following a sensory evaluation of all the whiskeys, the 12-year-old Single Malt was narrowly chosen as the runner-up. Kudos to the participants for their efforts in the competition and to PJota for organizing such a fantastic event.

Pale straw color. Gentle, lemon-acid fruitiness on the nose; fresh and appetizing, a little smoke, with added water revealing almond oil and oilcloth notes. Fresh fruit is still present, with an olive oil feel, followed by dried flowers and ginseng. The palate is initially sweet, with light, aromatic smoke, smooth and pleasant. Dilution brings out a mild acidity, saltiness, and sweetness, creating a complex balance with the primary flavors. The finish is lingering and sweetly smoky.

An exceptionally clean tasting experience, which, until now, I haven't associated with Islay malts. Simple, straightforward vanilla cream – crisp and clean, followed by a thorough and pleasing layer of smoke that envelops everything. Excellently crafted, and despite my years of hesitation, I'm starting to grasp why this 12-year-old commands a 25-50% premium over its counterparts. It's not about complexity, but rather elegance and execution. I enjoy Old Pulteney 12 year... this is the same profile but executed with a master's touch (perhaps with slightly less salinity).

Medium to full body. Nose: Wonderful smoke, and finally, a smell like CMA peat, really strong peat. Taste: Vanilla/caramel, pepper, and salt; it evokes a sea-worn ship on a stormy night in a glass. Finish: Very smooth, full, and quick. Excellent mouthfeel, coating the entire palate. Adding a little water brings out more citrus notes, but I prefer it neat. Like a gentle Scottish sea in a glass. It feels more delicate and elegant than the Lagavulin 16; I'd enjoy a side-by-side comparison.