The Caol Ila 12 Years Old is a classic Islay single malt Scotch whisky, renowned for its combination of maritime character, distinct peaty smoke and a comparatively elegant structure. It is produced at the Caol Ila Distillery on the north-east coast of the Scottish island of Islay, situated directly on the Sound of Islay with a view of the neighbouring island of Jura. The name Caol Ila comes from Gaelic and roughly translates as ‘Sound of Islay’. The distillery was founded as early as 1846 by Hector Henderson and went on to become a leading producer of smoky Islay whiskies. For this standard bottling, the single malt is matured for 12 years, with the influence of American oak casks – or, more specifically, ex-bourbon casks – particularly enhancing the distillery’s characteristic style.

With an alcohol content of 43 per cent, the Caol Ila 12 Years Old Islay Single Malt combines its pronounced smokiness with a surprisingly fresh and straightforward structure. Compared to some particularly heavy Islay whiskies, Caol Ila often comes across as somewhat lighter and more accessible, without compromising on the typical peated smoke and maritime character. Citrusy and malty notes complement the smoky base and lend the whisky additional complexity. The combination of 12 years’ maturation, its Islay heritage and characteristic peated style makes the Caol Ila 12 Years Old a well-established representative of its region. In the 0.7-litre bottle, it is ideal both as an introduction to peated single malts and as a classic addition to any Islay whisky collection.

Nutritional Information: