Category: Caol Ila

Whiskies distilled at Caol Ila on the isle of Islay, Scotland

Caol Ila 10 2007 Gordon & MacPhail

On By MajorHopIn 80-84, Caol Ila, Islay, ScotchLeave a comment

Caol Ila 10 2007 G&M

Price: Discontinued

Distilled/Owned by:Caol Ila / Gordon and MacPhail

Region:Islay

59% ABV

Aged For:10 Years (Distilled 2007)

Mashbill:100% malted barley

Cask Type:Refill sherry casks

Chill Filtered:No

Color Added:No

 

 

Color: Brass

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Ashy smoke, gentle peat, charcoal, grilled brisket, raspberries, oak, and sherry

Feel: Medium to full body

Taste: Fruity with a touch of pepper, cinnamon, sour smoke, ash, raisins, oak

Finish: Dried fruits and applesauce, ashy smoke, medium warmth and length

Thoughts: I’m finding that even with higher proof Caol Ila’s I am missing an oomph I look for in my whiskey. They make some good malt, but it’s always a touch too light for my preferences.

Score: 81 out of 100

Photo stolen from /u/CigarInMyAnus

Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition 2016

On By MajorHopIn 75-79, Caol Ila, Islay, ScotchLeave a comment

Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2016

Paid: $55 + Shipping for 700ml

Distilled/Owned by: Caol Ila / Diageo

Region: Islay

43% ABV

Mashbill: 100% malted barley

Aged For: 12 Years (Distilled 2004)

Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon, finished in Moscatel casks

Chill Filtered: Yes

Color Added: Yes

 

 

Color: Light gold

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn.

Nose: Airy, white grapes, lemon, ash, smoke, salt, pineapple

Mouthfeel: Light bodied

Palate/Taste: Gentle smoke, ash, peat, oak, light pepper, vanilla, malt

Finish: Little warmth, medium length, citrusy, smoke and sweet wine notes.

Thoughts: When I opened the bottle it was after I had a sampling of Longrow and Laphroaig with friends and we were all disappointed. When I revisited it to write up these notes I just was a bit bored with the experience, the muscatel casks don’t divert the profile too much from the regular 12 year.

Score: 78 out of 100

Caol Ila 7-Year 2007 Gordon & MacPhail

On By MajorHopIn 80-84, Caol Ila, Islay, ScotchLeave a comment

Caol Ila 7 G&M

Price: Discontinued

Distilled/Owned by: Caol Ila / Bottled Gordon & Macphail (Binnys)

Region: Islay

60.3% ABV

Mashbill: 100% malted barley

Aged For: 7 Years (2007 Distillation)

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon

Chill Filtered: No

Color Added: No

 

 

Color: Light gold

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn.

Nose: Fresh coastal peat, citrus, honeycomb, toasted bread, cocoa powder

Mouthfeel: Oily, full bodied

Palate/Taste: Starts as a buttery vanilla, shifting over time to cocoa with chili powder. A bit of tropical fruit.

Finish: Warm, with an intense smokiness. Pepper and an aftertaste of honeycomb.

Thoughts: Much better than the OB 12 year bottling, the rich body and wave of flavors were excellent.

Score: 84 out of 100

Caol Ila 12

On By MajorHopIn 75-79, Caol Ila, Islay, ScotchLeave a comment

Caol Ila 12

Price: $50 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Caol Ila / Diageo

Region: Islay

43% ABV

Aged For: 12 Years

Mashbill: 100% malted barley

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon

Chill Filtered: Yes

Color Added: Yes

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

 

 

Color: Pale straw

Nose: Salty, sea air, peat moss, lemon, brine, and buttered biscuits.

Taste: Lemon, and let me emphasize LEMON. Citrus notes, sweet yet still smokey. Salty brine. On the thin side as far as texture and palate.

Finish: More lemons, oak, and a bit of chocolate. Short with almost no warmth

Thoughts: Not to much peat, and the sweet citrus and saltiness don’t make for an over complex drink, but it’s not a bad one.

Score: 78 out of 100