Is Caol Ila a good scotch?

Is Caol Ila a good scotch?

Caol Ila (“Cull Eela”) is a staple powerhouse of Islay scotch whisky. The whisky that isn’t placed into Caol Ila single malt bottles goes into Johnnie Walker or other blends, because the beautiful balance of peat adds a wonderful complexity and mystery where needed.

How good is Caol Ila?

This is a classic, straight-up ex-bourbon matured Islay malt. Drinks higher than 43%, which is a plus, keeps the balance from nose to finish (another plus), but lacks the complexity that was promised by the nose. A little sweetness on the palate to play off the smoke would be welcome. I still recommend trying it.

Which is the best Caol Ila?

Highest rated whiskies with > 3 votes

• 95.27. Caol Ila 1968 RWD.
• 93.83. Caol Ila 1968 It.
• 93.82. Caol Ila 1974 JM.
• 93.67. Caol Ila 1969 GM.
• 93.60. Caol Ila 1968 GM.

Who makes Caol Ila?

Diageo
Caol Ila distillery

Is Caol Ila smoky?

Smoky Scot is (surprise, surprise!) a heavily peated single malt, produced at the Caol Ila distillery. It was matured in bourbon oak casks for five years before being bottled at 46% ABV by Aceo. Boasting a typical Islay flavour profile, this peaty treat doesn’t disappoint.

Is Caol Ila peaty?

Caol Ila 12 year old (89 points; $60) is a good illustration that phenol levels aren’t everything—the whisky is heavily peated, with a phenol level of 35 PPM, the same as Lagavulin—but it tastes noticeably less smoky than its neighbor.

Is Caol Ila chill filtered?

Caol Ila 12-year old, 43% ABV. Chill filtered and artificially coloured.

When did Diageo buy Caol Ila?

1927
In 1927 the Distillers Company Limited acquired a controlling interest in Caol Ila, and in 1930 Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd obtained ownership of all the shares. The company eventually became part of Diageo. style, and production resumed in 1974.

Which is better Caol Ila or Laphroaig?

I find both Talisker and Lagavulin to be more “elegant” than Laphroaig or Ardbeg, which are a punch in the face as far as Islays are concerned. The various expressions of Talisker and Lagavulin are nicely rounded without the toughness of the other Islays. Caol Ila to me doesn’t have that soft edge, which is why I compared it to Laphroaig.

When did Caol Ila 10 years come out?

1999 Connoisseur’s Choice Caol Ila 10 Years Review… Scotch Whisky 1999 Connoisseur’s Choice Caol Ila 10 Years is the 3rd stop in our trek to 12 and it’s interesting to see how minor the overall difference in quality … Ian Macleod’s “As We Get It” Islay Review…

Is the Caol Ila 12 years a daily drinker?

The Caol Ila 12 Years along with the Laphroaig 10 and Kilchoman Machir Bay are two of my favorite entry-level “daily drinker” Islays. I covered the other two a while ago and because it took me so long to get to it I decided to raid the bunker and dedicate 4/5 of a week to Caol Ila in the build up this smoky gentleman.

What kind of peat is in Caol Ila?

Caol Ila has a reputation for being one of the “lightest” examples of Islay peat, but I would say that the peat here is simply less brash and smokey. There’s no denying that the dominant note here is peat. Palate: Soft in texture, but with a lot of tongue burn for 43% ABV.