Caol Ila 12yo Single Malt Whisky

Category:
 
Spirits
Sub-Category:  
 
Whisky
Producer:
 
Caol Ila
Label Name:
 
12yo Single Malt Whisky
Country:
 
Scotland, United Kingdom
Region:
 
Islay
Volume:
 
700ml
ABV:
 
43%
Acidity:
 
2
Sweetness:
 
2
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
15-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Multiple medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition (double golds/golds 2005–2010); Wine Enthusiast score ~90–95 (2005); Gold at International Spirits Challenge (2014) and Scotch Whisky Masters (2014); consistently well-reviewed by Whisky Magazine and critics

Tasting Note
Maritime peat and sea-salt smoke with green apple, citrus, smoked bacon and light herbal notes. Medium-full, oily mouthfeel leading to vanilla, white pepper and a long salty, smoky finish.

Food Pairing
Western: smoked salmon, oysters, grilled shellfish, aged cheddar, charcuterie, steak. Asian: yakitori, miso-glazed fish, grilled mackerel (saba), unagi, Korean BBQ, spicy kimchi stews.

Production Method
Single malt from malted barley; double distilled in copper pot stills using peated malt; matured ~12 years mainly in ex-bourbon American oak refill casks on Islay; typically bottled at 43% ABV (chill-filtered, coloured in official bottling).

Vineyard Info
Caol Ila distillery, founded 1846 near Port Askaig, Islay. Owned by Diageo, known for a lighter, maritime peated style used in single malts and blends (e.g., Johnnie Walker).