Today, it's the Caol Ila 12 year old.
First, some Caol Ila Did-You-Know?!
Caol Ila, Gaelic for "Sound of Islay" or more accurately "Islay Strait", has a production capacity of 6.5 million liters, making it the largest distillery on Islay. It is so large, that its capacity is twice that of the next largest Islay distillery, Laphroaig. At the moment, only Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Roseisle have larger production outputs, but Caol Ila remains the largest peated malt whisky producer in Scotland (and, likely, the world). The vast majority of that whisky goes into Diageo's largest blends: Johnnie Walker, J&B, and Bell's. In 1989, DCL (proto-Diageo) started bottling Caol Ila as a limited 15 year old whisky under their Flora & Fauna series. In 2002, it moved to their "Hidden Malts" series, along with Clynelish and Glen Elgin. Because it's not part of the original "Classic Malts" (though it's often lumped in with them), it can sometimes be more difficult to find a bottle of Caol Ila, compared to Lagavulin.
Distillery: Caol Ila
Ownership: Diageo
Age: minimum 12 years
Maturation: refill ex-bourbon American oak casks
Region: Port Askaig, Islay
Alcohol by Volume: 43%
PPM: 30-35
Chilfiltered? Yup.
Colored? It is decidedly so.
Now, enough with facts!
NEAT
It has a mild amber color, which is comforting since so many of Diageo's whiskys are unnaturally brown. Perhaps they went easy on the e150a with this one. On the nose, honey on wheat bread leads the way. Then bruised apple flesh and a hint of piney peat. It's very fresh overall: light vanilla, fresh stone fruit, and a mint-like effervescence. All sorts of apple notes now, actually. And the smoke remains reserved. Give the whisky some time in the glass and some woody notes arrive with some spice on their tail. While the peat and smoke remain gentle on the palate, they are more present than they are with the Bowmore 12. There's a subtle bacon note and barbecued veggie skins (probably squash?). Lots of hay. With some air, the palate becomes a well-controlled combo of mild vanilla, salt, tanginess, and wood smoke. A little more barley registers on the finish. But for me, the Caol Ila 12 finish always paints the same portrait when I close my eyes: I'm overlooking the beach at night, chimney smoke wafting in the tangy salty air. Every time.
WITH WATER
The nose gets maltier and yeastier, with a light pleasant copper note. Maybe some whole wheat toast and peaches. It's slightly more candied now too. The palate develops a note of mustard seeds but not too strongly. Light peat, more obvious vanilla. The finish is now briefer. But it's creamy, peaty, and a little peppery.
While it won't blast your senses like the more famous South Islay trio (Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig), Caol Ila 12 is solid on every front. The oak only pipes up every once in a while, but it mostly lets the mash, peat, salty air, and time do the talking. What's interesting is that though Caol Ila is distilled right next to the sea, it is matured inland on mainland Scotland in one of Diageo's massive warehouses. So that salty air note is not actually due to salty air exposure during maturation. It's something that comes through in the peating or distillation process. It's very effective, whatever it may be.
I'll admit, I've given Caol Ila the short shrift in favor of its sexier neighbors, and have unfairly looked past the indie bottles just because its distillery is owned by Diageo. There are some elements here that remind me of similarly aged Ardmore (♥s!), except CI's malt seems to have more salt and bacon in the mix. I've seen a wide array of prices on this one. It's a well designed whisky, and can compete fairly well at the $50 price point. But once it goes north of $70, it's difficult to recommend.
Availability - Many specialty retailers worldwide
Pricing - East Coast $45 to $65; West Coast $55 to $75 (boo)
Rating - 85