Caol Ila

Caol Ila 12 Year Old is of medium weight, but still packing plenty of potent phenols, this is a refined, powerful dram with a compensating oiliness. A balanced, peaty beauty..

Taking its name from the Gaelic for ‘dawn’, Moch is a wonderful newcomer from Caol Ila and is a must-try for fans of this outstanding distillery. Lighter in style than the standard 12 year old expression, Moch is a fantastic easy-drinking dram.

This 2004 vintage Caol Ila has been selected by The Whisky Exchange from stocks owned by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail and bottled as part of the Reserve Series. Aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel, this is rich, fruity and smoky.

A 1999 vintage Caol Ila bottled by The Whisky Trail in 2011. Briny smoke, like a bonfire on the beach, medium-bodied with a slightly spicy finish - a great session whisky.

Extra ageing has calmed the impact of the phenols, with the peat arriving on the palate late, and tempered by smooth oak. A very mellow, mature Islay malt.

The 2001 vintage of Caol Ila's entry in Diageo's Distillers Edition range, taking their regular smoky malt and finishing it in sweet Moscatel-wine casks for an extra depth of sweetness.

Always a staple in Diageo's Special Releases, the unpeated bottling of Caol Ila has reached 17 years of age. Wispy smoke combines with gingerbread, sweet-cured meat and smoked fish, with a refreshing lemony note.

2013's unpeated release of Caol Ila is named for distillery manager Billy Stitchell, who is retiring after almost 40 years at the distillery. This year it's been bottled without an age statement and despite being 'unpeated' there's a definite smoky tang to the whisky, although less so than in previous years.

Long-aged Caol Ila can be excellent, and this is one of the best we've tried. With age, the smokiness of the whisky softens, revealing layers of fruit, gentle spice and elegance. A cracking dram, selected by and exclusively bottled for The Whisky Exchange. This was awarded 88 points by Serge Valentin of whiskyfun.com

Caol Ila Fèis Ìle 2013 is a limited edition Fèis Ìle festival bottling. It is a triple matured release and was personally selected by distillery manager Billy Stitchell, giving it the description - "Spirit distilled in 1998 has been triple-cask matured. For 12 years it rested in a combination of Refill Butts, Hogsheads and Barrels. The vatted whisky was then allowed to mature for several months in active hogshead casks to impart a spicy/oaky note to the existing delicate Caol Ila smoke. Finally, it was treated to a final gentle maturation in European oak.

A stunning 1983 vintage Caol Ila released at 30 years of age as part of Diageo's 2014 Special Releases. Aged in a combination of refill American and refill European oak, this is reminiscent of a cross between Brora and Port Ellen, combining the waxiness of the former with the chamois leather note of the latter.

A big cask strength Caol Ila released as part of Diageo's Rare Malts series. Distilled in 1978 and released at the turn of the millenium at a eye-watering 61.7% ABV.

A 20 year old Caol Ila bottled by the distillery to celebrate their 150th birthday in 1996.

An independent bottling of 1966 Caol Ila from Gordon & Macphail released as part of the Centenary celebrations. Distilled in 1966 and matured for 29 years in a sherry cask.