15
Expressions
15
With Tasting Notes
100%
Completeness
About
Islay's largest and most prolific distillery by capacity, yet historically one of the least known -- the vast majority of its output went into Johnnie Walker and other Diageo blends. The name means 'Sound of Islay' in Gaelic, referring to the strait between Islay and Jura visible from the distillery. Rebuilt in brutalist 1970s style, the stillhouse offers dramatic panoramic views across the sound. Produces a lighter, more oily peated style than its southern Islay neighbours. The 12 Year Old single malt has gained a strong following. Also produces an unpeated 'Highland style' variant each year.
Production Details
Owner
Diageo
Parent Company
Diageo
Status
Active
Founded
1846
Still Type
Pot
Stills
6
Capacity
6.5M LPA
Water Source
Loch nam Ban (Torrabols)
Core Range5
Caol Ila 12 Year OldCore
12 Years43% ABV35 PPM$70-85
Refill American oak bourbon casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Bright pale gold with a green-tinged shimmer; light-bodied with delicate legs
Smell
Classic Islay nose — sweet earthy peat with sea salt and brine. Lemon peel, dry seaweed, light olive oil, and spicy toasted oak. Clean and maritime
Sip
Soft peat, oaky smoke, citrus fruit, malt. Vanilla and cinnamon dance with a clean sweetness. Medium body, well-balanced and not aggressive. Lemon oil and light iodine
Savor
Medium to long finish. Dry, with smoke dissolving into herbal notes and a trace of citrus. Clean and refreshing with lingering coastal minerality
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Smoke House: peat smoke (gentle), seaweed, iodine; Walk to Lighthouse: sea salt, brine, coastal mineral; Greengrocer: Citrus (lemon peel, lemon oil); Bakery: Savoury (malt, oat); Sweet Shop: vanilla; Furniture Maker: Wood (toasted oak); Garden Path: herbal
Caol Ila 18 Year OldCore
18 Years43% ABV35 PPM$130-170
Refill American oak and European oak casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep amber gold; richer and fuller than the 12yo with medium legs
Smell
Leafy, herbal, and creamy malts. Coconut, sandalwood, salt, and peaty smoke. More rounded and complex than the 12yo — the peat is softer and integrated
Sip
Malty and thick. Peat is clearly evident but complemented by pinpoint sweetness, smokiness, and barley richness. The smoke takes a backseat to allow honeyed malt through
Savor
Long finish with herbal notes and continuing aromas from the palate. Oak tannins and gentle spice linger with coastal warmth
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Smoke House: peat smoke (subdued, elegant), sandalwood; Walk to Lighthouse: sea salt, coastal; Bakery: Savoury (malt, barley); Sweet Shop: honey, coconut; Furniture Maker: Wood (oak, sandalwood); Garden Path: herbal, leafy; Library: leather
Caol Ila 25 Year OldCore
25 Years43% ABV35 PPM$300-400
Refill American oak and European oak casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep gold to light amber; rich and full with slow legs indicating age and weight
Smell
Sticking plasters, lemon zest, oily smoke, and bonfire toffee. Peach, lemon oil, mild spices, pinewood. Delicate and surprisingly fruity for a heavily-aged Islay
Sip
Sweet entry with lemon juice and oak. Leather, black pepper, spicy ginger, and sweets. Eucalyptus, honey, and white pepper. The peat smoke has retreated — aromatic, citric, and slightly resinous
Savor
Long, oily, peaty finish. The smoke returns at the end as a gentle echo. Oak, spice, and maritime salinity linger elegantly
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Greengrocer: Citrus (lemon zest, lemon oil), Stone Fruit (peach); Sweet Shop: honey, toffee, sweets; Smoke House: oily smoke, bonfire; Walk to Lighthouse: maritime, oily; Furniture Maker: Wood (pinewood, oak), leather; Library: old leather; Garden Path: herbal, eucalyptus; Natural Foods: Spices (ginger, white pepper, black pepper)
Caol Ila Distillers Edition (Moscatel Finish)Core
12 Years (approx)43% ABV35 PPM$75-95
Double matured — initial bourbon oak, finished in Moscatel cask wood
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deeper gold than the standard 12yo; warm amber tones from Moscatel influence
Smell
Rich and complex. Exotic fruits and ripe fruits from Moscatel casks. Classic briny notes and coastal peat mixed with apricots and sweet lemons. Seaweed and damp ashes, hints of dough and hay
Sip
Round and mellow, bursting with fruits and peat. Sweetened malted barley creating an exquisite interplay of smoke and wine-influenced fruit. Dried apricot and grape sweetness meets iodine
Savor
Long, intense, very smoky. Delicious aniseed with sweet-and-sour flavours. Lily, iris, lavender, and tuberose compose the final bouquet — floral and lingering
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Pub/Bar: Wine (Moscatel, sweet wine); Greengrocer: Stone Fruit (apricot), Citrus (lemon); Smoke House: peat smoke, seaweed, damp ash; Walk to Lighthouse: brine, coastal; Bakery: Savoury (dough, hay); Florist: Fresh Flowers (iris, lavender, tuberose, lily); Sweet Shop: aniseed
Caol Ila MochCore
NAS43% ABV35 PPM$50-65
American oak bourbon casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Pale straw gold; very light and bright with thin delicate legs
Smell
Creamy and lemony. Burnt caramel, butterscotch, dark earthy sweetness. Dark chocolate, malty oat cookie dough, and a hint of sultana. Lighter peat than the 12yo
Sip
Sweet lemon meringue pie with soft mouthfeel. Peat arrives mid-palate but restrained — soothing wood smoke rather than burning tyres. Retains sweetness throughout. Approachable and gentle
Savor
Dry, sooty, and moreish. Clean finish that invites another sip. Light coastal minerality fades gently
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Sweet Shop: butterscotch, caramel, lemon meringue; Bakery: Sweet (cookie dough), Savoury (malt, oat); Greengrocer: Citrus (lemon), Dried (sultana); Smoke House: wood smoke (gentle, soothing); Walk to Lighthouse: coastal mineral
Limited / Special Releases10
Caol Ila 10 Year Old In The Courtyard Release 2024
10 Years58.7% ABV202435 PPM$140-180
Bourbon hogshead (single cask, distilled 2014)
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Pale gold; bourbon hogshead imparting light colour on young spirit
Smell
Classic young Caol Ila — lemon, vanilla, clean peat smoke. Bourbon cask influence brings vanilla and coconut. Maritime freshness
Sip
Vibrant and punchy at cask strength. Lemon citrus, vanilla, gentle peat smoke, and maritime character. Bourbon hogshead adds sweetness and roundness. Clean and focused
Savor
Medium finish with clean smoke, vanilla, and citrus fading. Coastal minerality and light pepper linger
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Smoke House: peat smoke (clean, young); Walk to Lighthouse: maritime, coastal; Greengrocer: Citrus (lemon); Sweet Shop: vanilla, coconut; Furniture Maker: Wood (bourbon oak)
Caol Ila 11 Year Old Ambrosial Feast Unpeated (Special Release 2024)
11 Years57.3% ABV2024$150-200
Ex-wine casks, rejuvenated and refill casks — unpeated spirit
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Pale gold with a slight green tint; unpeated spirit showing clean American oak influence
Smell
Melon, dragon fruit, sticky tree buds. Vinous note like Californian chardonnay. Malty with walnuts, peanuts, wood dust. Butter cookies, light vanilla, pepper, dried grassy notes
Sip
Creamy and fruity — star fruit, apple, pear, grapefruit, pepper, anise, vanilla, cashew, peanut. Very nutty: hazelnuts, toasted almonds, caramelized walnuts. Cloudy worts create a nutty, green-apple character
Savor
Medium finish with lingering nut and vanilla. Oak influence shows as wood dust and pepper. Clean and grain-forward without any smoke
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Greengrocer: Orchard (apple, pear), Tropical (melon, dragon fruit, star fruit), Citrus (grapefruit); Natural Foods: Nuts (hazelnut, walnut, almond, cashew, peanut); Bakery: Sweet (butter cookies, vanilla); Garden Path: grassy, tree buds; Pub/Bar: Wine (chardonnay influence)
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Feis Ile 2021 (Moscatel Finish)
12 Years48.1% ABV202135 PPM$150-200
Finished in Moscatel-seasoned American oak casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Warm gold with amber undertones from Moscatel finish
Smell
Sweet dried fruits, tropical notes, and biscuit overlaid by signature Caol Ila smoke. Moscatel sweetness meets maritime peat
Sip
Rich and sweet with dried fruit, tropical notes, and biscuity malt. The Moscatel finish adds grape sweetness and dried fruit complexity to the smoky base. Well-integrated
Savor
Medium-long finish with interplay of sweet wine notes and gentle peat smoke. Dried fruit lingers alongside coastal salinity
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Pub/Bar: Wine (Moscatel); Greengrocer: Dried (raisins, figs), Tropical; Bakery: Savoury (biscuit, malt); Smoke House: peat smoke; Walk to Lighthouse: maritime, coastal
Caol Ila 13 Year Old Feis Ile 2023 (PX/Oloroso Finish)
13 Years60.4% ABV202335 PPM$250-320
Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso seasoned butts
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep amber gold; rich colour from PX and Oloroso sherry butts
Smell
Dark fruit sweetness from PX casks — raisins, dates, and dark chocolate. Classic Caol Ila peat and pepper spice underneath. Rich and complex
Sip
Delightful sweet and fruit notes complementing peat and peppery spice. Dark dried fruit, chocolate, and treacle from sherry influence. Full-bodied at cask strength with intense flavour layering
Savor
Long, rich finish with lingering dark fruit, sherry sweetness, and persistent peat smoke. Spicy and warming with a gentle drying quality
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Pub/Bar: Wine (PX sherry, Oloroso); Greengrocer: Dried (raisins, dates, dark fruit); Sweet Shop: dark chocolate, treacle; Smoke House: peat smoke, pepper; Walk to Lighthouse: coastal; Natural Foods: Spices (pepper)
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Feis Ile 2022
15 Years55.8% ABV202235 PPM$200-280
Not specified (cask strength release)
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep gold; extended maturation adding richness
Smell
Mature peat smoke with fruit and maritime notes. Oak spice and vanilla from 15 years of cask interaction. Refined and complex
Sip
Full-bodied and complex. Well-integrated peat with fruit sweetness, maritime character, and aged oak. Cask strength delivers intense but balanced flavours
Savor
Long finish with elegant smoke, spice, and fruit. Mature and rounded with coastal character persisting
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Smoke House: peat smoke (mature, elegant); Walk to Lighthouse: maritime, coastal; Greengrocer: Orchard fruit; Sweet Shop: vanilla; Furniture Maker: Wood (aged oak); Natural Foods: Spices
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
15 Years59.1% ABV2018$120-160
Refill and rejuvenated American oak hogsheads, ex-bodega European oak butts — unpeated spirit
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Golden amber; deeper than peated expressions due to European oak and sherry butt influence
Smell
Lemon peel, toasty brioche, hint of ashy coal fires. Marmalade-laden buttery toast, milk chocolate, fresh orange. Red cherry, strawberry, and raisin emerge
Sip
Creamy chocolate, fruity yoghurt, and honey with peach and a pine-like quality. Caramel, walnuts, grain-heavy underpinning. Full body from cask strength
Savor
Medium finish with oak tannins and lingering nuttiness. Chocolate and fruit fade into a gently drying conclusion
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Bakery: Sweet (brioche, toast, marmalade); Greengrocer: Citrus (lemon peel, orange), Stone Fruit (peach), Berry (cherry, strawberry), Dried (raisin); Sweet Shop: chocolate (milk), caramel, honey; Natural Foods: Nuts (walnut); Furniture Maker: Wood (pine, oak)
Caol Ila 16 Year Old Feis Ile 2020
16 Years53.9% ABV202035 PPM$180-250
Not specified (likely refill and first-fill American/European oak)
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Rich gold; deeper colour from extended maturation
Smell
Rich peat smoke integrated with tropical fruit and maritime salinity. Aged oak character with vanilla and spice. More refined than younger expressions
Sip
Full-bodied with elegant peat and oak integration. Tropical fruit, citrus, maritime character, and warming spice. Cask strength adds intensity and mouthfeel
Savor
Long, smoky finish with lingering spice and gentle sweetness. Coastal and maritime character persists through the finish
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Smoke House: peat smoke (refined); Walk to Lighthouse: maritime, sea salt; Greengrocer: Tropical, Citrus; Sweet Shop: vanilla; Furniture Maker: Wood (aged oak); Natural Foods: Spices
Caol Ila 18 Year Old The Guitarist (Jazz Festival 2025)
18 Years52.8% ABV202535 PPM$330-400
American oak barrel, finished with toasted Scottish oak cask ends
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Rich amber gold; Scottish oak finish adding deep warm tones
Smell
Peppery smoky notes with toffee apple, cinnamon, and saline peat. Sweet confectionary meets bold smokiness
Sip
Sweet confectionary notes with bold peppery smokiness. Toffee apple and cinnamon interplay with saline peat — crisp like a smooth bassline. Subtle coastal edge with salt balanced by signature gentle smoky character
Savor
Long finish with peppery smoke, toffee sweetness, and cinnamon spice lingering. Scottish oak adds a toasty, warm quality. Maritime salinity persists
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Smoke House: peppery smoke, saline peat; Sweet Shop: toffee apple, cinnamon, confectionary; Walk to Lighthouse: coastal salt, maritime; Furniture Maker: Wood (Scottish oak, toasted); Natural Foods: Spices (cinnamon, pepper); Bakery: Sweet (toffee)
Caol Ila 8 Year Old Feis Ile 2025 (Colombian Oak Finish)
8 Years55.8% ABV202535 PPM$148-200
Refill casks, PX and Oloroso-seasoned casks, finished in new Colombian oak casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Warm amber gold; Colombian oak finish adding colour depth despite young age
Smell
Exotic wood influence from Colombian oak mingling with Caol Ila maritime peat. Sweet sherry notes from PX/Oloroso, tropical fruit, and spice
Sip
Young and vibrant with bold peat, exotic spice from Colombian oak, and sherry sweetness. Unique cask combination creates a tropical-smoky-spicy interplay unlike standard Caol Ila
Savor
Medium-long finish with exotic wood spice, peat smoke, and sherry sweetness lingering. Colombian oak adds a distinctive aromatic quality
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Smoke House: peat smoke; Walk to Lighthouse: maritime; Pub/Bar: Wine (PX sherry, Oloroso); Furniture Maker: Wood (Colombian oak, exotic); Greengrocer: Tropical; Natural Foods: Spices (exotic, bold)
Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve Unpeated (Special Release 2013)
NAS59.6% ABV2013$90-130
American oak, rejuvenated American oak, and European ex-bodega casks — unpeated spirit
4/4 Tasting
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Sight
Light gold; clean and bright reflecting the unpeated character
Smell
Green apple, pear, cereal sweetness. Light vanilla from American oak. Hints of beeswax and light hay. Clean barley spirit shines through without smoke
Sip
Green apple and pear dominate with cereal sweetness and light honey. Waxy mouthfeel. The spirit base is inherently fruity and clean — shows what Caol Ila's tall stills produce without peat masking
Savor
Medium finish with apple and cereal notes fading to a clean, lightly spiced conclusion. Gentle oak warmth
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Greengrocer: Orchard (green apple, pear); Bakery: Savoury (cereal, barley, hay); Sweet Shop: honey, beeswax; Furniture Maker: Wood (American oak, vanilla)