I know there’s more than a few of you out there that are seeing this and saying “about damn time you review the Caol Ila 12 Years”. I know because I’ve gotten emails and messages asking when I was going to get to it and well… here it is. 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.
In Caol Ila’s Words: Caol Ila 12 Years
“Caol Ila 12 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the color of pale straw, with a delicate balance of tastes.
Nose: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist’s mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke.
Palate: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish”
Now to check it out and see how my notes stack up to their own in the Caol Ila 12 year review!
Caol Ila 12 Years Info
Region: Isaly, Scotland
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Caol Ila
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 10 years
ABV: 436%
Price: $60
Caol Ila 12 Years Review
EYE
Light toffee
NOSE
Honied pear, vanilla cupcakes, smoked meat, melon, iodine and a light bit of dried apples and spice.
PALATE
Smoked meat, Honied pear, cinnamon, graham, melon, waxy citrus and light bits of spice, tropical fruit, mint and “oil”.
FINISH
Long charred meat, vanilla cupcakes, honied fruit and a bit of plastic.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Nice sense of balance, medium body and a warm light feel.
OVERALL
Caol Ila 12 is the definition of a daily drinkin’ Isaly. Enough subtleties and complexities to be interesting, but not brutal enough to wear out the palate. It’s A wonderfully tasty and aromatic dram that delivers crisp and clean across the senses with a strong peaty back bone and lighter fruity undertones. Lovely stuff indeed!
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)