Caol Ila 20 Year Old 150th Anniversary

Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1975 Signatory Vintage

Another Coal Ila by Signatory Vintage, this time distilled on 20 January 1975, bottled in a classic dumpy on 14 May 2001, making this a 26 Year Old. The nose is all wet grass, but soon turns sweet on apples, skin included. Wonderful smoky edge. Yeast and lemon juice. With some patience, you will also discover a hint of pineapple cubes. Lovely. It...

Score 88/100

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

Caol Ila 12 was the first bottle of Islay whisky I purchased for my home cabinet. I was attracted by the rumors of exquisite "balance" between sweetness and smoke, and I was not at all disappointed. I get an immediate sweetness in the nose of soft fruits, honeydew melons. Peat comes along with a minty edge The palate follows along...

Score 97/100

Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2005 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice

The Connoisseurs Choice from Gordon & Macphail has some new livery since a couple of months. Today I will try a 14 years old bottled at 45%, finished on Hermitage Wood for a year. Hermitage is a wine from the Northern Rhone region. Oh, this is something else! The typical maritime character from Coal Ila is nicely wrapped in very sweet and...

Score 86/100

Caol Ila 1998 Distillers Edition

This edition is distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2011. Nose: Chocolate covered raisins, beer, bitter citrus zest. Baked orchard fruit and cloves. Pencil shavings and sweet BBQ. There's a slight solvent edge that is both unfortunate and deceiving considering how easy-drinking this whisky is. The nose isn't as bright and fresh as the standard...

Score 86/100