Review #14: Caol Ila 12 Year Old

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

Islay - 12 Years - Chill Filtered- Color Added - Sample ($60 at my local) - 43%

I have had all the Islay distilleries (blends aside) except for Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila (and Port Ellen.) I look forward to getting to know the distinctive Caol Ila smoke that people talk about here. I know I have had Caol Ila in blends many times before as it seems to be the go to Islay blender.

I pulled up the distillery's website and they recommend serving on rocks, which is something you usually only see on NAS low end offerings (I'm looking at you Highland Park Magnus). I will be tasting neat as always and not adding water unless I feel it is needed.

I put off getting Caol Ila because it is the same price as Ugeadail (my Islay go to) and Laphroaig CS, which I have slated as my next Islay purchase.

Color - Old Gold

Nose - I expected smoke but I am getting none of that. It is all citrus, Sprite, with sent of fancy seashell shaped hand soaps that were popular in the 80s/90s.

Palate - Sweet cereal, hints of the smoke to come. There is a little bit of the wood, new wood, cigar box, a bitter note (thought not unpleasent) comes through with a little chewing. Not much body here, about the same as Johnny Black.

Finish - Medium - Oh here comes the smoke, nice and lingering, like match that was blown out. Oily yet light. The smoke fades and there is a little bit of cereal and then it is gone.

Overall - 5.5 - This whisky seems to be a bit one note, which is fine if I like the note. I do enjoy the smoke on the finish but it doesn't make up for the uninteresting hit on the palate and nose. I see why this is a popular blending whisky, a way to bring some smoke and but not overpower the other whiskies in the blend. This is one that I would be interested in what it would be like if it was not chill filtered. I would be even more interested to see what it is like at cask strength. However, at 43% and chill filtered, it is just too watery and uninteresting on the nose and palate that the alluring smoke finish can't make up for. As a side note, I am now pretty certain that the smoke in Johnny Black is Caol Ila, especially since they are both Diageo

Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Average Score for Islay = 6.8

Average Score Overall = 6.2