Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750 ml (Speyside, Scotland) - [WE 92]

Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750 ml
(Speyside, Scotland) - [WE 92]

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$107.99 $84.97 Save $23.02
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WE92
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About the Distillery:

In 1846, Hector Henderson chose a remote and beautiful site to build his distillery on the shores of the Sound of Islay, overlooking the Paps of Jura. To this day, craftspeople continue his traditional methods of malt whisky production to ensure the distinctive quality of Caol Ila malt whisky is ever-present. The barley used is malted locally at Port Ellen and pure spring water rises from limestone in nearby Loch Nam Burn, then falls to the sea at Caol Ila.

Pronounced “Cull Eela”, it’s the Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay, which separates the island from Jura. For some, the distillery’s pronunciation is as remote as its location, sitting as it does on the rugged eastern coast, where it has remained hidden from view since the 19th century. However you say it, the fine, smoky whisky produced by generations of islanders is worth exploring.

About the Whisky:

The ultimate Islay malt, Caol Ila is considered by experts to be the perfect entry point into the world of peaty malt whiskies and a reference for connoisseurs of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky the world over. Fresh, sweetly fruity and smooth-bodied, Caol Ila 12 year old is the colour of pale straw, with a delicate balance of tastes.

Tasting Notes:

Body: Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel: firm with a light to medium body.

Nose: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist's mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness, a trace of olive oil, and after a while potpourri or scented hand-soap.

Palate: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity, some salt and still the sweeter notes. A complex balance of primary tastes.

Finish: Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.

Strength: 43% ABV

Awards/Reviews:

92 Points, Best Buy - Wine Enthusiast

"A seductive brininess and waves of oily peat-reek greet the olfactory sense. The palate entry finds a surprisingly buttery-creamy leaning along with the peat-reek; at midpalate the flavor becomes concentrated, oily, malty sweet, and only moderately peaty. Ends on a sweet malty note. Builds from stage to stage, each phase being better than the last."

"The grassy note that usually lies beneath the smoke is the lead aroma here...it's whistle-clean and fruity, and with a touch of water, fills with an aroma of toffee popcorn, custard, and pears. The palate continues in this light fashion with melon balls and fruit cocktail. Bizarrely, on the finish, I pick up slight saltiness. A fun dram." - Whisky Advocate