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Caol Ila 12 years Distillers Edition

peaty malty
4.2
(2)€55Scotland, Islay, Single Malt

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Facts

Caol Ila sits above the Sound of Islay, the narrow strait that separates the island from Jura. The distillery is known for a lighter style of peat — smoke without the sledgehammer. This Distillers Edition takes the classic 12-year-old and finishes it in Moscatel wine casks. The result is something unexpected: that familiar coastal smoke lifted by fresh fruit and a gentle sweetness. Lemon and pineapple thread through the ash and iodine. It is a different way into Caol Ila — and a compelling one.

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About the distillery

Distillery

Caol Ila

Caol Ila is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located on the island of Islay, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson and is currently owned by Diageo, one of the world's largest producers of spirits. The distillery sits on the shores of the Sound of Islay, offering stunning views of the island's rugged coastline. Caol Ila produces a range of single malt whiskies, including a 12-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a Distillers Edition, which is finished in Moscatel casks. The whisky produced at Caol Ila is known for its peaty, smoky flavor profile, which is typical of Islay whiskies. This is due in part to the use of malted barley that is dried over peat fires, which imparts a distinctive smokiness to the whisky. Despite its remote location, Caol Ila is a relatively large distillery, with a capacity of 6.5 million liters of alcohol per year. The distillery uses a combination of traditional pot stills and modern condensers to produce its whisky.

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About the Caol Ila 12 years Distillers Edition

Caol Ila 12 years Distillers Edition is a single malt Scotch whisky from the Islay region of Scotland. It begins as Caol Ila's well-regarded 12-year-old expression. It then receives an additional finish in Moscatel wine casks, which changes the character in unexpected ways. Caol Ila distillery was founded in 1846 near Port Askaig on Islay. Its name in Scottish Gaelic means "Sound of Islay." The distillery overlooks the narrow strait between Islay and Jura. For decades, the bulk of its output went into blended Scotch. It went primarily into Johnnie Walker Black Label. This makes its single malt releases genuinely distinctive finds. Caol Ila is one of the largest distilleries on Islay by volume. The Moscatel finish adds a layer that sets the Caol Ila 12 years Distillers Edition apart from the standard bottling. Moscatel brings a sweet, floral lift that plays against the whisky's natural smoky and medicinal core. On the nose, peaty, citrus, and vanilla notes appear alongside hints of lemon and fresh fruit. The palate delivers smoke, salt, malty depth, and a thread of pineapple sweetness. The oak adds warmth at the finish. Caol Ila is known for one of Islay's lighter peated styles. Its spirit is more delicate than Laphroaig or Ardbeg, which makes the wine cask finish particularly effective. The finish here is long and satisfying, with ash and a gentle sweetness that lingers. Caol Ila 12 years Distillers Edition is an ideal gift for single malt lovers. It offers something beyond the standard Islay peat profile. Bottled at 43% ABV, it suits anyone curious about how wine cask finishing can transform a classic smoky whisky.