Ah, I’ve been waiting to write this one for quite a while. Nestled in the Scotch section of my cabinet, this bottle has laid in wait, and quite honestly it took a lot of self control to resist the temptation to pop the cork, from the locale it originates from alone. I’ve been writing about bourbons and American malts for quite some time now, and it’s been a damn nice treat to get
back over to my favorite flavors from across the sea; Those of the Isle of Islay.
Caol Ila 12
Islay Single Malt Scotch
Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Scotland
$69.99
43% / 96 proof
Nose - Nose has some screaming pear and brine with a bit of pork on the end, with other more subtle notes of peat, tar, and fresh cut grass. The nose on this thing is a statement of what to expect; and Islay scotch that may be more expressive than even the great Lagavulin 16.
Palette - Full flavored and full bodied, the Caol Ila 12 brings a well rounded burst of that same pear from the nose with a burst of smoke and spice, with a very particular tannic quality that pops like pin needles on your tongue. Brine and toffee fills the flavor and everything quickly comes together in a blending symphony of intrigue and power. This is quite certainly the Beethoven of Islays.
Finish - The finish is extensive and well lit; What I mean by that is there is a fire alight in your chest and throat that lingers for quite some time, warming the face and leaving you with an astringent citrus and lemongrass flavor that warms the soul like a cider on a cold winter day.
Thoughts - I know I have a bit of a bias when it comes to Islay Scotch; Ever since my first sip of Ardbeg 12, I’ve been totally in love with the stuff and every time I can crack a bottle I feel great. In my opinion, Islays, and particularly Coal Ila 12, bring out a very specific and endearing feeling of warmth along the frontier, this feeling of growth and pride, very similar to what I felt when I built my dining table. There’s a lot of whiskey out there, and they all certainly have their stories and memories, but with Coal Ila I really can’t feel anything but happy and homely after every sip I take.A ~$70 price tag might scare most, but I think the Caol presents enough to not only be worth it, but what I am now going to call my most recommended expression of Islay whisky’s available. If you’re wanting to branch out into the bold with a bottle that will show you what’s to come, I think the Caol Ila 12 is the best place to start.