To me, it's one of those solid drams that doesn't disappoint and doesn't wow. It's good, and that's that. It's medium-peaty, slightly citric, and fresh, and despite pine notes not nearly as medicinal as Laphroaig. 84 is a fair score that I concur with. It's a spring dram to me.
Got a massively soft spot for Caol Ila, and adored the softer almost marshmallow like peat. Think that is a solid score for this whisky and well worth anyone trying.
The world of whisky needs Caol Ila, it adds so much to the Independents, and love or hate Diageo I can see they cannot be simply characterized as the bad boys. Gateway, maybe, staple for sure. I wonder just how much better Diageo could be without contamination with colorant and without chill filtration? Caol Ila is a distinctive and fundamental contributor to our experience of whisky.
Agree. At least with Caol Ila we can explore the whisky as it should be through the IBs. Great house style as well. I don't always want my peaty whisky to punch me in the face. 😉🥃
I like it very much while liking the "brutal" Islay expressions, too. It's a laid back, friendly, sip-by-the-fire-in-the-wintertime kind, but also characteristically peated whisky. Just as you said: warm, firendly, smoky character, has its unique charm. Just like that.
Caol Ila was my gateway whisky prompted by a friend who praised its 'smoothness' (that's what was key in his book) and it is a wonderfully friendly introduction to peat. Having since explored more compelling territory, this has fallen onto the back burner but it is certainly one to have in stock for those moments when one has guests or just wants an easy sipper - hard to fault it at its price being a very consistent bottling that does what it sets out to do. Everyone needs to try this.
Yeah I don't go out of my way for it, but I'm still happy whenever this finds itself back on my shelf. Good one for the guests and a great casual sipper for me! 🥃
Caol Ila 12 is the Islay dram you can drink without it demanding your full attention. It doesn't need center stage, it's happy to provide the flavourful background music. Good solid whisky at a good price. My go to Islay for food pairings.
Great review, totally agree with it being more chilled compared to other Islay. In some ways along the lines of laphroaig select. This used to cost the same as lagavulin 16 in my market and I enjoyed laga more. Be great to see a review on some entry level Irish stuff like Teeling
Got an caol Ila gordon & maphail connoisseurs edition and it was extremely good. So now I ordered the Caol Ila 12 to try the distiller's style on its own taste wise. This video is a good review for research.
Im really slacking it seems. Even though this is one of my favorite summer sipper I haven't left a comment here up till now. Buuuuuu I absolutely agree. Its great for what it is and amd absolute banger. Usually get it for around 35 euro on sale. Great review my friend as always! Cheers 🎩🥃🥃
Hi Geoff, nice review. I love Coal Ila. I really do. But I’ve moved away from the CI12, as this feels a bit too ‘perfumey’ for me. Instead I always have an independent bottling of CI open: very affordable, and they are all good. Sometimes even excellent. Keep up the good work!
Yes there are a lot of great IB options from CI, which is nice to have. A lot of people in the comments agree with you, as do I. The Best CI on the market is going to be the IB options. Cheers! 🥃
I've always got a Caol Ila in stock but always an IB. Just finishing a Signatory one which has been great. A Douglas Laing one before that was exceptional.
Thanks for this review. You got me interested. However, I doubt my taste buds can work like yours. Still, a whisky available at a decent price. Another well appreciated review. Thumbs up! My favourite quote this time "a warm 84".
As a big fan of everything from Islay each entry level core range is must have for me. Of course bought this one last year and still is in a card box and waiting for a right moment. Its Diageo but surprisingly has good reputation. I plan to buy some IB stuff and make head to head test. Anyway good to hear you like it and gave it solid 84 so i know i will like it as well. Cheers for another nice review and slàinte 😁🥃🤟
I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It's a nice and gentle style of peat that I think is pretty accessible. A side by side with a cs IB would be a great way to get to know the distillery character in its different iterations. There are some fantastic IBs out there from Caol Ila. Enjoy! 🥃
Caol Ila 12 is my soft spot, too. I like the grilled pepper meat with lemon juice notes, really reminds me of a campfire on the beach. I would definitely try a 18yo if seeing one.
Hi Geoff, I’m one of those who buys this from time to time, do enjoy this dram. At least Diageo keep this at a decent quality . Excellent review Geoff 👍Slàinte
I buy a Caol Ila 12 every now and again, as in every couple of years, just to recalibrate. I tend to buy indy Caol Ila. The UK indy market is utterly awash with it so plenty to try, the trick is not to pay over the odds. I do like the style and these days I prefer it to most of the other peated drams.
Yeah I think IBs ate the way to go, but like you I do tend to come back to the 12 every now and then. I enjoy it as a casual sipper. There's definitely a spot in the wold of whisky for a "soft" Islay cheers! 🥃
Hi Geoff, greetings from Argentina! Nice to see videos about some of the most popular whiskies (i guess it's easier to find Caol Ila 12, Cragganmore or Glenlivet than Balblair or Bladnoch). Anyway, love Caol Ila (as i love Cragganmore and Glenlivet, lol).
Greetings from Taiwan! Actually I do enjoy a lot of more obscure whiskies, although I'm not sure anybody would watch reviews of them. I'm lucky enough to be in a position that I have access to a lot of popular whiskies at a good price here, so those tend to get top priority for reviews. Cheers ETW! 🥃
Considering how much of a peat head I am, it's surprising the fact that I've never had caol ila. Despite how much a fan I am of Port Charlotte, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, etc... I'm looking forward to trying this bottle. Looking forward to the day I see this on sale or in a bar.
great fair review on this unique islay, Geoff! the problem in california is most places try to sell this for $100 or more! the lowest i’ve seen it is $90. i couldn’t pull the trigger for that price, but i got a 200ml bottle and enjoyed it just fine.
In Bulgaria this one costs roughly 42 euros which is an OK price for 12 yo Islay malt. However being treated by Diageo "standard processes" is the reason I haven't had any Caol Ila yet. As with the other Diageo core range malts I've opted to seeking small size bottles out in order to taste them. Still haven't found any Caol Ila 12 though. On the other hand I'm on a constant watch for quality independent expressions of Caol Ila. They seem to be perfect introduction to the distillery character of Caol Ila as many of them have not been under heavy cask influence. Cheers!
Yeah if you insist on craft the official CI bottlings won't be for you. Still, it's wonderful that we have the option to enjoy is as IBs. Most other Islay IBs are unicorns and ridiculously expensive. 🥃
Another great review. Thanks for your time and effort. As you mentioned, sometimes you are in the mood for a gentle peated one (and I may go even further, all the way to a non Islay one: Ardmore Legacy (and I don't care to be criticized for it)). Cheers Geoff!
Agree. They don't all need to be peat bombs! Ardmore Legacy has never been a favourite of mine in all honesty, but never let anyone criticize you for YOUR tastes. 😉 Actually, it's been a while since I last tried it, so I might end up revisiting it at some point. Cheers Jorge! 🥃
For me, this bottle represents my whisky evolution. At first, I despised this, but as my whisky journey expanded, I've grown to enjoy it and I'm actually about try a 6 year indie bottling att 59/1%, which should be interesting. Cheers Geoff.
I think Caol Ila has its place on the Islay slate. Glad to hear you've warmed up to it. Some Caol Ila IBs are fantastic. I don't think I've ever had one as young as 6 years old, though. Sounds like it'll pack some heat. Hope you give us a review on it! Cheers! 🥃
I have tried Caol Ila, in my opinion is a great Whiskey, I do understand your fixation with ABV, coloration and chilled filtration, but from my vantage point, I approach most of my drams from a blind(ish) direction. I’ve been surprised by offerings that don’t meet your requirements and am always happy to enjoy w/o discrimination. Which that being said, I enjoy your reviews and respect your point of view. Have you tried the SMWS offerings? Their Caol Ila’s offerings are superb. Slàinte Mhath.
They aren't requirements in an official sense, but they are preferences. Abv is the big one. I like whisky with a good intensity of flavour. That being said, I've had plenty of 40% whiskies that I thoroughly enjoyed. AnCnoc 12, Macallan 12, Edradour 12. When we move up to 43% the list gets much longer. Good whisky is good whisky! I have tried some SMWS Caol Ila, and it was fantastic! 🥃
Okay, this is a three or four-parter a comment/question. Have you tried any of the Distiller's Editions of Caol Ila? How about independent bottlings? I think I'm weird. Caol Ila 12 is probably my all time favorite. Granted, I haven't tasted that many seriously expensive whiskies. Most expensive was my bottle of Oogie. Caol Ila 12 my first bottle of single malt too and while it does have the Diageo weak specs, but the different kind of earthy peat and not that much smoke and tar as an Ardbeg. The citrus, the freshness, the fact that it's a lighter mouthfeel just works for me. Even though I love the thick mouth of say a Bunna 12. In my own personal ratings the Caol Ila 12 beat out Ardbeg 10 and maybe I had a weaker batch of Uigeadail but it just barely edges it out. I haven't had a Lagavulin 16 for a while so it feels unfair to compare the two. Laphroaig 10 isn't even in the same ball park as Caol Ila 12 for me, the taste and the mouthfeel somehow don't match. So finally the question is, am I weird for liking Caol Ila as much as I do? Man it's just something about the profile of peat in Caol Ila, the house style. I think you've reviewed Ledaig 10 and I think they're sort of similar, yeah? And Geff/Jeff/Geoff, I absolutely loved it when you made the dorkiest metaphor of all time, I think it was the Highland Park cask strength review but I'm not sure. Love your sense of humor, just lean into it as much as you're comfortable with mate.
Hey Rick, glad you're a Gan of Caol Ila! I've had a good number of Caol Ilas over the years, including the core range up to 25, a couple of their Distillers Editions, as well as plenty of their IBs. It's a great brand, and I don't think it's odd at all that you're a big fan. I myself love that we have the option of drinking something that's less "full on" than the likes of an Ardbeg or a Laphroaig. I like the DEs, although they're sweeter than the standard releases as a result of the Moscatel finish. If you really want to sink your teeth in, the independent bottlings can be great. Some are, of course, better than others, but part of the reason I like Caol Ila is that we have the opportunity to try affordable and available IBs from them. Good house style with lots of different iterations of their whsiky available at an affordable price. If you can get past the Diageo pitfalls in the core range, there's much to love about CI. Thanks for watching, Rick, and I'm glad you appreciate my dorky humour! 😉🥃
Is this a very recent purchase? I have a couple bottles I bought years ago - I buy more than one at the same time if I really like it. Instead of opening an old one when I'm in the mood, I buy a new one. After a few years, one of the new bottles didn't seem to live up to what I remembered so I haven't bought any new ones recently. What's your thoughts on recent bottlings compared to older ones? I'm in the mood for one and debating if I should go for one of my old bottles.
Only just picked up a 20cl bottle for $25 in California and had a dram a month ago. Wasn't impressed but that's just after a single session and I don't make up my mind until I get to 4, 5, or 6 sessions. I've come to respect low ABV offerings and what is possible in that space (not alot, but good stuff is out there). I'll have to see how this one turns out, but I suspect I'll enjoy it (enough) but given it's Diageo, the price/value ratio will probably be way off for me.
Where I live this is still pretty affordable, especially for a Diageo product so I'm OK grabbing a bottle from time to time. Hopefully your opinion of this improves, although tbh this hasn't historically been a whisky that "opens up" too much. Still, smart spending some time with it before rushing to judgement. It's for that reason that I never review freshly popped bottles or bottles I haven't spent time with. 🥃
Nice review Geoff, this one sounds really interesting. It's been on my radar for some time though I never picked up a bottle... How would you compare it with Lagavulin 8 or 16? I much prefer Laga 8 over Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig 10 as I find it more nuanced and balanced.
I'd say this is much calmer than the Laga 8. I like Laga 8, but it's an intense whisky, closer to the heavier Islay malts. Caol Ila 12 is more gentle and calm like the Laga 16, although it doesn't have the same level of complexity or the sweet sherried touch. Cheers EuropaWill! 🥃
@@Gwhisky thanks for that. I'll admit I haven't had much of a desire to drink all of these mentioned for some time. Like you said they are very intense and for me I'd say quite polarizing. While fun at times all mentioned to me are over the top most of the time. It takes a very long time for me to finish a bottle of Ardbeg 10, 5 or Lagavulin 8. Novelties in a sense for me.
Hey Geoff, great review. Have yet to try Caol Ila but I hear its the dominant Islay part of many peated blends like the DL Big Peat blend (which is really good imo). The Peatrichor edition is also excellent oyster-y fruity stuff. I was wondering if you could recommend some medium/heavy coastal peaters that also offer a peach/apricot note.
the gordon and macphail caol ila 13 would fit that bill... ...more light/medium than medium/heavy but the apricot note are more pronounced than the standard bottling
Hallo Geoff, Meiner Meinung nach, sind die Originalabfüllungen von Caol Ila meistens gut jedoch immer nur im Mittelfeld. Es gibt jedoch unzählige Unabhängige Abfüllungen die wirklich absolute Spitze sind. Zum Beispiel die des "Brühler Whiskyhaus" unter der Serie "A Dream of Scotland". Meist dominiert von außergewöhnlichen Fässern. Oder selbstverständlich auch Abfüllungen von Cadenheads oder Gordon & Macphail oder.... Vielen Dank für dieses Video. Grüße aus Deutschland.
Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie, Laphroaig quarter cask & Caol Ila 12 all at the same price point and part of a recent session of entry level Islay malts. All well received but the Caol Ila took 3rd spot (only just) think the higher abv of the other 2 probably made the difference. What 3 would recommend Geoff for the next session of NON Islay, entry level peated malts...? 🥃👍
Yeah that result makes sense. Abv makes all the difference. Non Islay peated? Ledaig, Talisker, and Balvenie Week of Peat. You could maybe throw in some Benriach or Old Ballantruan as well. If you don't mind going for gentle peat, there's always Benromach or Ardnamurchan. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Thanks for the recommendations and from that list I fortunately have 3 in the current collection... Talisker 10 (old bottle) Old Ballantruan 10 and a week of peat 17 although I might source a bottle of the 14yr Balvenie to qualify for entry level. 🥃👍 cheers
I’ve been wanting to try this one since the WT guys recommended it as a Lagavulin alternative. Only issue is the local liquor store wants 79 bucks (US) for it! Is that worth it, or a pass?
Please review Nikka Taketsuru NAS and/or the Nikka Yoichi(very slightly peated one) NAS. Those two drove me back into malted barley whisky again after some great modern scotch downers I've experienced over the past couple of years. Those have revived my confidence that malted barley is beautiful stuff when done right. Can't remember if you do or don't review NAS's, but recently I've heard there is Yoichi 10yo hitting the shelves soon, and I hope it is as good as the NAS. Cheers!
I've heard about the new Yoichi 10 on the way. Pretty excited about that, although I'm not sure it will be fairly priced for a 10 year old. I tend to shy away from Japanese whiskies these days. A decade ago they'd probably be a good chunk of my reviews, but so many of them are overpriced NAS these days. I'll keep an eye out for the Taketsuru NAS. Never tried it, but I used to love the 17 back in the day. Cheers! 🥃
20 years ago ILA was just a blender's fodder malt . . . but tis oily-ness endures . . . so, after 25 years of uber-peat dramming, i grab ILA from time to time in place of LaGAvulin. . . still beats Bowmore ! !
Yeah even after graduating on to bigger and bolder stuff, it's always good to revisit Caol Ila. Nice to have a gentler option and it's still solid stuff. Cheers Timothy! 🥃
Great intro malt for those getting into peat.Want something well priced with the same characteristics go Port Askaig 100 proof .No age statement but a real bang for your buck dram
I love caol ila but never tasted the OB. Always IB, signatory is wonderful and the Ultimate (VW) CS is delicious. Is it ok if i comment on your sound? I always listen with headphones and i get some squeeking sounds and sort of echo. Just sayin' :-) Btw love your reviews
Thanks Allard! Caol Ila has releases that are all over the map in the IB world. Some are hit or miss but generally the releases are solid drinkers. I've not heard any squeaking, but I'll keep an eye out for any background sounds moving forward. At some point I'm just going to have to update my equipment. Cheers and thanks for watching! 🥃
Yeah I like it but it’s not as cheap as it used to be and there is so much of it out there in indie bottles or under alternative names that are either less pricey or bottled with higher integrity.
@@DileepB you are lucky in US. 43% is far better than 40% thats why i skip from Laphroaig 10 to Quarter Cask( 10 was my 1st peated stuff and i used to love it).
@@Gwhisky CI may be a large Diageo Distillery, and the indie bottles are pretty common, but some other 40% single malts are not really necessary to be bottled.
I still have islay bombs sitting on my shelf ...most unopened.. I started with Peat Monster and Big Peat...loved my 2014 D.E. Lagavulin... But, maybe the 32C and 100% humidity here is keeping away from peated whiskies? Or, I am just a fuckin pussy.. In honor of this DiageeeeeO review...I went and grabbed a Clynelish 14 for $45us no added tax today....the one product of theirs I keep on hand. Headed to Phnom Penh to see a concert next month and buy whisky.... Kicked all my locals to what I think you call the kerb....curb in my world. Loved that mustard bbq reference...dude, that is some South Carolina bullshit and nobody from KC would ever dream of eating it....I grew up on Gates and Arthur Bryants...The 2 Kings of real Kansas City bbq.... I renewed my visa extension another year and will return to the Magic Kingdom of Wonder after my trip back to the US next Spring... So, back buying whisky...my shelf is depleted
Hah nah it's definitely a thing. I keep away from the big peaty stuff in the high heat too. When I go for something peated it's usually on the gentler side. Clynelosh 14 for USD $45 is a steal! Hope that price lasts. That's even less than what I pay for it in Taiwan. Good stuff, too. Good to hear you're staying in Cambodia. I'm sure South America would be a trip but sounds like you're already having a hell of a time out there. Never been to Kansas but visited South Carolina once. Amazing BBQ. I've heard about some of the "BBQ rivalries" they have down there. Hah. Cheers Jeff. Enjoy the concert and good luck bottle hunting next month! 🥃
@@Gwhisky SC is famous for pulled and chopped pork.... KC is pork ribs...brisket smoked with hickory...We have trees on our land and smoked with it all my life.. In Texas they are big on beef brisket and use Mesquite wood... You bet there are rivalries... But, KC bbq is King....and the joints I mentioned were black owned and been around 70 years at least....The KC I grew up in when you could go anywhere and feel safe. Now...it is a 2 gun town... My house is 90 miles south.. Typical of the cities in US now...cesspools run by criminals.. Yeah...I grabbed the last $45 at Angkor market old today...their new store has is for $52us...I saw it for $49us online in Phnom Penh the other day... I love Talisker and Rock Oyster...has a bit of peat I believe.. Yeah, in honor of 6 months with my gf we got in a fight and I told her to F off.... I cannot afford these girls and great whisky.. Going to see the incredible Khmer artist Vannda here in Siem Reap next week and in PP in September.... There will be some hot as hot ladies at these shows.... I am pushing 65.... and having great times for sure .....
independent bottlers Caol Ila is amazing more expensive ofcourse 12 years or 13 years 100 bucks bud alcohol proof 48 tm 51 procent and Caol Ila whisky needs to be 48 cask strength then you love Caol Ila sadly price is olso 50 procent more independent bottlers Caol Ila
To me, it's one of those solid drams that doesn't disappoint and doesn't wow. It's good, and that's that. It's medium-peaty, slightly citric, and fresh, and despite pine notes not nearly as medicinal as Laphroaig. 84 is a fair score that I concur with. It's a spring dram to me.
Well said. Light, easy, accessible, pleasant, but won't blow your socks off. Nice casual sipper. 🥃
Got a massively soft spot for Caol Ila, and adored the softer almost marshmallow like peat. Think that is a solid score for this whisky and well worth anyone trying.
Thanks Jeff. It's a good one! 🥃
The world of whisky needs Caol Ila, it adds so much to the Independents, and love or hate Diageo I can see they cannot be simply characterized as the bad boys. Gateway, maybe, staple for sure. I wonder just how much better Diageo could be without contamination with colorant and without chill filtration? Caol Ila is a distinctive and fundamental contributor to our experience of whisky.
Agree. At least with Caol Ila we can explore the whisky as it should be through the IBs. Great house style as well. I don't always want my peaty whisky to punch me in the face. 😉🥃
I like it very much while liking the "brutal" Islay expressions, too. It's a laid back, friendly, sip-by-the-fire-in-the-wintertime kind, but also characteristically peated whisky. Just as you said: warm, firendly, smoky character, has its unique charm. Just like that.
Agree. They don't all need to be beasts. Plenty of room for some calmer Islay offerings. Cheers! 🥃
Caol Ila was my gateway whisky prompted by a friend who praised its 'smoothness' (that's what was key in his book) and it is a wonderfully friendly introduction to peat. Having since explored more compelling territory, this has fallen onto the back burner but it is certainly one to have in stock for those moments when one has guests or just wants an easy sipper - hard to fault it at its price being a very consistent bottling that does what it sets out to do. Everyone needs to try this.
Yeah I don't go out of my way for it, but I'm still happy whenever this finds itself back on my shelf. Good one for the guests and a great casual sipper for me! 🥃
A great entry level Islay whisky in my opinion. Great video once again.
Thanks Dave. Glad you enjoy it and thanks for watching! 🥃
Really like this whisky - and a great way of really elevating a glass of black label by just adding a dash.
I imagine it is. I'll have to try that someday! 🥃
Well, black label does already contain caol ila - just not enough, obviously ;-)
Caol Ila 12 is the Islay dram you can drink without it demanding your full attention. It doesn't need center stage, it's happy to provide the flavourful background music. Good solid whisky at a good price. My go to Islay for food pairings.
Agree. Solid casual sipper with nice easy flavours! 🥃
Great review, totally agree with it being more chilled compared to other Islay. In some ways along the lines of laphroaig select. This used to cost the same as lagavulin 16 in my market and I enjoyed laga more. Be great to see a review on some entry level Irish stuff like Teeling
Same price as Laga 16? Wow. Yeah I'd be buying the Laga over this anytime. I'm sure I'll get around to Teeling eventually! 🥃
Got an caol Ila gordon & maphail connoisseurs edition and it was extremely good. So now I ordered the Caol Ila 12 to try the distiller's style on its own taste wise. This video is a good review for research.
G&M have some fantastic Caol Ila bottlings. I'm sure it'll outperform the 12 in almost every category! 🥃
Im really slacking it seems. Even though this is one of my favorite summer sipper I haven't left a comment here up till now. Buuuuuu
I absolutely agree. Its great for what it is and amd absolute banger. Usually get it for around 35 euro on sale. Great review my friend as always! Cheers 🎩🥃🥃
Great, wanted to hear your thoughts on this classic. Damn right, it’s your duty😜!
Yes sir!
Hi Geoff, nice review. I love Coal Ila. I really do. But I’ve moved away from the CI12, as this feels a bit too ‘perfumey’ for me. Instead I always have an independent bottling of CI open: very affordable, and they are all good. Sometimes even excellent. Keep up the good work!
Yes there are a lot of great IB options from CI, which is nice to have. A lot of people in the comments agree with you, as do I. The Best CI on the market is going to be the IB options. Cheers! 🥃
I've always got a Caol Ila in stock but always an IB. Just finishing a Signatory one which has been great. A Douglas Laing one before that was exceptional.
Love that they give us so many IB options! 🥃
Signatory Vintage is a good option for Caol Ila, 46% abv, natural colour and non chill filtered. Always enjoy it!
Thanks for this review. You got me interested. However, I doubt my taste buds can work like yours. Still, a whisky available at a decent price. Another well appreciated review. Thumbs up! My favourite quote this time "a warm 84".
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching! 🙏
As a big fan of everything from Islay each entry level core range is must have for me. Of course bought this one last year and still is in a card box and waiting for a right moment. Its Diageo but surprisingly has good reputation. I plan to buy some IB stuff and make head to head test. Anyway good to hear you like it and gave it solid 84 so i know i will like it as well. Cheers for another nice review and slàinte 😁🥃🤟
I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It's a nice and gentle style of peat that I think is pretty accessible. A side by side with a cs IB would be a great way to get to know the distillery character in its different iterations. There are some fantastic IBs out there from Caol Ila. Enjoy! 🥃
I love so much Caol Ila 12... "Warm 84" you said. Let's say chilled 86 !
So i give cool 85 😋
😂😂😂
Caol Ila 12 is my soft spot, too. I like the grilled pepper meat with lemon juice notes, really reminds me of a campfire on the beach. I would definitely try a 18yo if seeing one.
There's a bottle waiting for you next time you're in Taipei buddy! 🥃
Fantastic! It's weirdly hard to find it, but the 12y is everywhere.
I really like the bottle, it has this down to earth beauty. Kinda makes me think of the Shire in the Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit-Dram, so to speak .
Lol yeah kinda.
Hi Geoff, I’m one of those who buys this from time to time, do enjoy this dram. At least Diageo keep this at a decent quality . Excellent review Geoff 👍Slàinte
Thanks David. Yeah it's a nice easy supper to revisit from time to time! Cheers! 🥃
Great review. I tend to prefer these softer styles of peat myself.
Yeah. Not every peated whisky needs to punch you in the face. Nice to have a gentler alternative. Cheers! 🥃
I tried this, once, and I loved it.
It's good stuff! Glad you enjoyed it! 🥃
I buy a Caol Ila 12 every now and again, as in every couple of years, just to recalibrate. I tend to buy indy Caol Ila. The UK indy market is utterly awash with it so plenty to try, the trick is not to pay over the odds. I do like the style and these days I prefer it to most of the other peated drams.
Yeah I think IBs ate the way to go, but like you I do tend to come back to the 12 every now and then. I enjoy it as a casual sipper. There's definitely a spot in the wold of whisky for a "soft" Islay cheers! 🥃
Hi Geoff, greetings from Argentina! Nice to see videos about some of the most popular whiskies (i guess it's easier to find Caol Ila 12, Cragganmore or Glenlivet than Balblair or Bladnoch). Anyway, love Caol Ila (as i love Cragganmore and Glenlivet, lol).
Greetings from Taiwan! Actually I do enjoy a lot of more obscure whiskies, although I'm not sure anybody would watch reviews of them. I'm lucky enough to be in a position that I have access to a lot of popular whiskies at a good price here, so those tend to get top priority for reviews. Cheers ETW! 🥃
I love the Caol Ila 12. Haven’t tasted any other Caol Ila but don’t feel the need to as the 12 is a favorite of mine.
Glad you enjoy it! 🥃
Considering how much of a peat head I am, it's surprising the fact that I've never had caol ila. Despite how much a fan I am of Port Charlotte, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, etc... I'm looking forward to trying this bottle. Looking forward to the day I see this on sale or in a bar.
great fair review on this unique islay, Geoff! the problem in california is most places try to sell this for $100 or more! the lowest i’ve seen it is $90. i couldn’t pull the trigger for that price, but i got a 200ml bottle and enjoyed it just fine.
It's certainly not worth that much. You're right to skip it. For reference, I pay about USD $36 for this here in Taiwan! 🥃
@@Gwhisky that would be a great deal at $36! interesting how those prices are so different in other countries
In Bulgaria this one costs roughly 42 euros which is an OK price for 12 yo Islay malt. However being treated by Diageo "standard processes" is the reason I haven't had any Caol Ila yet. As with the other Diageo core range malts I've opted to seeking small size bottles out in order to taste them. Still haven't found any Caol Ila 12 though.
On the other hand I'm on a constant watch for quality independent expressions of Caol Ila. They seem to be perfect introduction to the distillery character of Caol Ila as many of them have not been under heavy cask influence.
Cheers!
Yeah if you insist on craft the official CI bottlings won't be for you. Still, it's wonderful that we have the option to enjoy is as IBs. Most other Islay IBs are unicorns and ridiculously expensive. 🥃
Another great review. Thanks for your time and effort.
As you mentioned, sometimes you are in the mood for a gentle peated one (and I may go even further, all the way to a non Islay one: Ardmore Legacy (and I don't care to be criticized for it)). Cheers Geoff!
Agree. They don't all need to be peat bombs! Ardmore Legacy has never been a favourite of mine in all honesty, but never let anyone criticize you for YOUR tastes. 😉 Actually, it's been a while since I last tried it, so I might end up revisiting it at some point. Cheers Jorge! 🥃
The Caol Ila 12 mixed with Chivas 18 makes a really very nice blend.
Its a great dram its not as full on as the others Islay drops and the sweetness is really nice.
Agree. Great easy sipper without the "weight " of some other Islay offerings. 👍
I found Caol Ila is gentler than Taliskar 10. Great whisky, I must say.
It's good! Gentler character, I'd agree. But I get more peat from thos than I do Talisker. 🥃
Even though it's definitely chill-filtered, it has decent viscosity
Agree!
For me, this bottle represents my whisky evolution. At first, I despised this, but as my whisky journey expanded, I've grown to enjoy it and I'm actually about try a 6 year indie bottling att 59/1%, which should be interesting. Cheers Geoff.
I think Caol Ila has its place on the Islay slate. Glad to hear you've warmed up to it.
Some Caol Ila IBs are fantastic. I don't think I've ever had one as young as 6 years old, though. Sounds like it'll pack some heat. Hope you give us a review on it! Cheers! 🥃
@@Gwhisky there most certainly will be - in the next day or two🥃
I have tried Caol Ila, in my opinion is a great Whiskey, I do understand your fixation with ABV, coloration and chilled filtration, but from my vantage point, I approach most of my drams from a blind(ish) direction. I’ve been surprised by offerings that don’t meet your requirements and am always happy to enjoy w/o discrimination. Which that being said, I enjoy your reviews and respect your point of view. Have you tried the SMWS offerings? Their Caol Ila’s offerings are superb. Slàinte Mhath.
They aren't requirements in an official sense, but they are preferences. Abv is the big one. I like whisky with a good intensity of flavour. That being said, I've had plenty of 40% whiskies that I thoroughly enjoyed. AnCnoc 12, Macallan 12, Edradour 12. When we move up to 43% the list gets much longer. Good whisky is good whisky!
I have tried some SMWS Caol Ila, and it was fantastic! 🥃
Okay, this is a three or four-parter a comment/question.
Have you tried any of the Distiller's Editions of Caol Ila? How about independent bottlings?
I think I'm weird. Caol Ila 12 is probably my all time favorite. Granted, I haven't tasted that many seriously expensive whiskies. Most expensive was my bottle of Oogie. Caol Ila 12 my first bottle of single malt too and while it does have the Diageo weak specs, but the different kind of earthy peat and not that much smoke and tar as an Ardbeg. The citrus, the freshness, the fact that it's a lighter mouthfeel just works for me. Even though I love the thick mouth of say a Bunna 12. In my own personal ratings the Caol Ila 12 beat out Ardbeg 10 and maybe I had a weaker batch of Uigeadail but it just barely edges it out. I haven't had a Lagavulin 16 for a while so it feels unfair to compare the two. Laphroaig 10 isn't even in the same ball park as Caol Ila 12 for me, the taste and the mouthfeel somehow don't match. So finally the question is, am I weird for liking Caol Ila as much as I do? Man it's just something about the profile of peat in Caol Ila, the house style. I think you've reviewed Ledaig 10 and I think they're sort of similar, yeah?
And Geff/Jeff/Geoff, I absolutely loved it when you made the dorkiest metaphor of all time, I think it was the Highland Park cask strength review but I'm not sure. Love your sense of humor, just lean into it as much as you're comfortable with mate.
Hey Rick, glad you're a Gan of Caol Ila!
I've had a good number of Caol Ilas over the years, including the core range up to 25, a couple of their Distillers Editions, as well as plenty of their IBs. It's a great brand, and I don't think it's odd at all that you're a big fan. I myself love that we have the option of drinking something that's less "full on" than the likes of an Ardbeg or a Laphroaig. I like the DEs, although they're sweeter than the standard releases as a result of the Moscatel finish. If you really want to sink your teeth in, the independent bottlings can be great. Some are, of course, better than others, but part of the reason I like Caol Ila is that we have the opportunity to try affordable and available IBs from them. Good house style with lots of different iterations of their whsiky available at an affordable price. If you can get past the Diageo pitfalls in the core range, there's much to love about CI.
Thanks for watching, Rick, and I'm glad you appreciate my dorky humour! 😉🥃
Thanks for reviewing.
PersonaI love Caol Ila... but then the independent bottlings, preferably the cask strength. Give those a try.
Slàinte mhath
I've had the IBs. They can be fantastic. Nice to have an IB option from a peated Islay distillery. Doesn't happen too often. 🥃
Is this a very recent purchase? I have a couple bottles I bought years ago - I buy more than one at the same time if I really like it. Instead of opening an old one when I'm in the mood, I buy a new one. After a few years, one of the new bottles didn't seem to live up to what I remembered so I haven't bought any new ones recently. What's your thoughts on recent bottlings compared to older ones? I'm in the mood for one and debating if I should go for one of my old bottles.
Only just picked up a 20cl bottle for $25 in California and had a dram a month ago. Wasn't impressed but that's just after a single session and I don't make up my mind until I get to 4, 5, or 6 sessions. I've come to respect low ABV offerings and what is possible in that space (not alot, but good stuff is out there).
I'll have to see how this one turns out, but I suspect I'll enjoy it (enough) but given it's Diageo, the price/value ratio will probably be way off for me.
Where I live this is still pretty affordable, especially for a Diageo product so I'm OK grabbing a bottle from time to time.
Hopefully your opinion of this improves, although tbh this hasn't historically been a whisky that "opens up" too much. Still, smart spending some time with it before rushing to judgement. It's for that reason that I never review freshly popped bottles or bottles I haven't spent time with. 🥃
Nice review Geoff, this one sounds really interesting. It's been on my radar for some time though I never picked up a bottle... How would you compare it with Lagavulin 8 or 16? I much prefer Laga 8 over Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig 10 as I find it more nuanced and balanced.
I'd say this is much calmer than the Laga 8. I like Laga 8, but it's an intense whisky, closer to the heavier Islay malts. Caol Ila 12 is more gentle and calm like the Laga 16, although it doesn't have the same level of complexity or the sweet sherried touch. Cheers EuropaWill! 🥃
@@Gwhisky thanks for that. I'll admit I haven't had much of a desire to drink all of these mentioned for some time. Like you said they are very intense and for me I'd say quite polarizing. While fun at times all mentioned to me are over the top most of the time. It takes a very long time for me to finish a bottle of Ardbeg 10, 5 or Lagavulin 8. Novelties in a sense for me.
Hey Geoff, great review. Have yet to try Caol Ila but I hear its the dominant Islay part of many peated blends like the DL Big Peat blend (which is really good imo). The Peatrichor edition is also excellent oyster-y fruity stuff.
I was wondering if you could recommend some medium/heavy coastal peaters that also offer a peach/apricot note.
Medium heavy peat is tough. Not a lot. I'd suggest Ardnamurchan, although that's only lightly peated. 🥃
the gordon and macphail caol ila 13 would fit that bill... ...more light/medium than medium/heavy but the apricot note are more pronounced than the standard bottling
@@tomtomtommyism Noted!!! I hope to come across it one day
Hallo Geoff,
Meiner Meinung nach, sind die Originalabfüllungen von Caol Ila meistens gut jedoch immer nur im Mittelfeld. Es gibt jedoch unzählige Unabhängige Abfüllungen die wirklich absolute Spitze sind. Zum Beispiel die des "Brühler Whiskyhaus" unter der Serie "A Dream of Scotland". Meist dominiert von außergewöhnlichen Fässern.
Oder selbstverständlich auch Abfüllungen von Cadenheads oder Gordon & Macphail oder....
Vielen Dank für dieses Video.
Grüße aus Deutschland.
Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie, Laphroaig quarter cask & Caol Ila 12 all at the same price point and part of a recent session of entry level Islay malts.
All well received but the Caol Ila took 3rd spot (only just) think the higher abv of the other 2 probably made the difference.
What 3 would recommend Geoff for the next session of NON Islay, entry level peated malts...? 🥃👍
Yeah that result makes sense. Abv makes all the difference. Non Islay peated? Ledaig, Talisker, and Balvenie Week of Peat. You could maybe throw in some Benriach or Old Ballantruan as well. If you don't mind going for gentle peat, there's always Benromach or Ardnamurchan. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Thanks for the recommendations and from that list I fortunately have 3 in the current collection... Talisker 10 (old bottle) Old Ballantruan 10 and a week of peat 17 although I might source a bottle of the 14yr Balvenie to qualify for entry level. 🥃👍 cheers
I’ve been wanting to try this one since the WT guys recommended it as a Lagavulin alternative. Only issue is the local liquor store wants 79 bucks (US) for it! Is that worth it, or a pass?
That seems a bit high for me. It's about half that price here in Taiwan. I believe there are places in the States where it should be cheaper... 🥃
Please review Nikka Taketsuru NAS and/or the Nikka Yoichi(very slightly peated one) NAS. Those two drove me back into malted barley whisky again after some great modern scotch downers I've experienced over the past couple of years. Those have revived my confidence that malted barley is beautiful stuff when done right. Can't remember if you do or don't review NAS's, but recently I've heard there is Yoichi 10yo hitting the shelves soon, and I hope it is as good as the NAS. Cheers!
I've heard about the new Yoichi 10 on the way. Pretty excited about that, although I'm not sure it will be fairly priced for a 10 year old. I tend to shy away from Japanese whiskies these days. A decade ago they'd probably be a good chunk of my reviews, but so many of them are overpriced NAS these days. I'll keep an eye out for the Taketsuru NAS. Never tried it, but I used to love the 17 back in the day. Cheers! 🥃
20 years ago ILA was just a blender's fodder malt . . . but tis oily-ness endures . . . so, after 25 years of uber-peat dramming, i grab ILA from time to time in place of LaGAvulin. . . still beats Bowmore ! !
Yeah even after graduating on to bigger and bolder stuff, it's always good to revisit Caol Ila. Nice to have a gentler option and it's still solid stuff. Cheers Timothy! 🥃
Great intro malt for those getting into peat.Want something well priced with the same characteristics go Port Askaig 100 proof .No age statement but a real bang for your buck dram
Absolutely! 🥃
Yeah. Well, Port Askaig 100 proof actually IS coal ila. Go figure ;-)
I love caol ila but never tasted the OB. Always IB, signatory is wonderful and the Ultimate (VW) CS is delicious. Is it ok if i comment on your sound? I always listen with headphones and i get some squeeking sounds and sort of echo. Just sayin' :-)
Btw love your reviews
Thanks Allard! Caol Ila has releases that are all over the map in the IB world. Some are hit or miss but generally the releases are solid drinkers. I've not heard any squeaking, but I'll keep an eye out for any background sounds moving forward. At some point I'm just going to have to update my equipment. Cheers and thanks for watching! 🥃
The abv and chill filtration makes OB a pointless option when I have so many IB options
At least we have the IB option! Only Islay distillery with readily available IBs. 🥃
Very thankful for that
Yeah I like it but it’s not as cheap as it used to be and there is so much of it out there in indie bottles or under alternative names that are either less pricey or bottled with higher integrity.
True the IBs are better most of the time, but they're considerably pricier in my market. This is just a pleasant casual entry level sipper. 🥃
How does it compare to the Laphroaig 10 which is also 40% ABV? Better value?
Caol Ila 12 is 43% and is aprox. £40 in UK. Laphroaig 10 is bit cheaper. Both are bit different.
@@peatbull3426 Both are 43% in the US. My mistake. You right about Caol Ila being slightly more expensive.
@@DileepB you are lucky in US. 43% is far better than 40% thats why i skip from Laphroaig 10 to Quarter Cask( 10 was my 1st peated stuff and i used to love it).
@@peatbull3426 43% is better, but I prefer 46% non chill filtered. There are many choices.
@@DileepB 101% agreed. Craft presentation is our goal! 😁🥃🤟
What could be bad? Quintessential Islay blend filler.
Hah come on CI ain't JUST blend filler. Weak specs aside they have a solid house style imo. Nice selection of IBs available, too. 🥃
@@Gwhisky CI may be a large Diageo Distillery, and the indie bottles are pretty common, but some other 40% single malts are not really necessary to be bottled.
I think they have many good IB but not a fan of the core range
Yeah that's fair. 🥃
I still have islay bombs sitting on my shelf ...most unopened..
I started with Peat Monster and Big Peat...loved my 2014 D.E. Lagavulin...
But, maybe the 32C and 100% humidity here is keeping away from peated whiskies?
Or, I am just a fuckin pussy..
In honor of this DiageeeeeO review...I went and grabbed a Clynelish 14 for $45us no added tax today....the one product of theirs I keep on hand.
Headed to Phnom Penh to see a concert next month and buy whisky....
Kicked all my locals to what I think you call the kerb....curb in my world.
Loved that mustard bbq reference...dude, that is some South Carolina bullshit and nobody from KC would ever dream of eating it....I grew up on Gates and Arthur Bryants...The 2 Kings of real Kansas City bbq....
I renewed my visa extension another year and will return to the Magic Kingdom of Wonder after my trip back to the US next Spring...
So, back buying whisky...my shelf is depleted
Hah nah it's definitely a thing. I keep away from the big peaty stuff in the high heat too. When I go for something peated it's usually on the gentler side.
Clynelosh 14 for USD $45 is a steal! Hope that price lasts. That's even less than what I pay for it in Taiwan. Good stuff, too.
Good to hear you're staying in Cambodia. I'm sure South America would be a trip but sounds like you're already having a hell of a time out there.
Never been to Kansas but visited South Carolina once. Amazing BBQ. I've heard about some of the "BBQ rivalries" they have down there. Hah.
Cheers Jeff. Enjoy the concert and good luck bottle hunting next month! 🥃
@@Gwhisky SC is famous for pulled and chopped pork....
KC is pork ribs...brisket smoked with hickory...We have trees on our land and smoked with it all my life..
In Texas they are big on beef brisket and use Mesquite wood...
You bet there are rivalries...
But, KC bbq is King....and the joints I mentioned were black owned and been around 70 years at least....The KC I grew up in when you could go anywhere and feel safe.
Now...it is a 2 gun town...
My house is 90 miles south..
Typical of the cities in US now...cesspools run by criminals..
Yeah...I grabbed the last $45 at Angkor market old today...their new store has is for $52us...I saw it for $49us online in Phnom Penh the other day...
I love Talisker and Rock Oyster...has a bit of peat I believe..
Yeah, in honor of 6 months with my gf we got in a fight and I told her to F off....
I cannot afford these girls and great whisky..
Going to see the incredible Khmer artist Vannda here in Siem Reap next week and in PP in September....
There will be some hot as hot ladies at these shows....
I am pushing 65....
and having great times for sure .....
independent bottlers Caol Ila is amazing more expensive ofcourse 12 years or 13 years 100 bucks bud alcohol proof 48 tm 51 procent and Caol Ila whisky needs to be 48 cask strength then you love Caol Ila sadly price is olso 50 procent more independent bottlers Caol Ila
One more expensive standard Diageo product in my market. No thanks, Diageo 🥲
Fair enough! It's affordable here, but I wouldn't want to overpay for this one. 🥃