Caol Ila Distillery

Region: Islay, Scotland

Founded: 1846

Status: Active

Owner: Diageo

Water source: Loch Nam Ban

Mash tun: 13.5 tonne full lauter

Washbacks: 8x wooden, 2x stainless steel

Stills: 3x wash 3x spirit

Capacity: 6.5 million litres per annum

History:

Caol Ila is derived from Gaelic Caol Ìle for “Sound of Islay” (lit. “Islay Strait”) in reference to the distillery’s location overlooking the strait between Islay and Jura. It was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. The distillery did not fare well, and changed hands in 1854 when Norman Buchanan, owner of the Isle of Jura Distillery, took over. In 1863 the business was acquired by Bulloch Lade & Co, of Glasgow, traders in whisky stocks. By the 1880s over 147,000 gallons of whisky were produced there each year.

In 1920 Bulloch Lade went into voluntary liquidation, and a consortium of businessmen formed the Caol Ila Distillery Company Ltd. In 1927 the Distillers Company acquired a controlling interest in Caol Ila, and in 1930 Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd obtained ownership of all the shares. The distillery closed during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, because of wartime restrictions on the supply of barley to distillers. From then, production continued until 1972, when the entire structure of the distillery was demolished. A larger distillery was then built, designed by George Leslie Darge in the same architectural style as many of his others with his trademark glazed curtain walls to the still houses, and production resumed in 1974. The company eventually became part of Diageo.

Caol Ila Whisky Reviews:

• Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2003 – Cask Strength ~ 59.6% (Gordon & MacPhail) - Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2003 – Cask Strength Islay single malt scotch whisky 59.6% ABV, £53.95 available from Royal Mile Whiskies Score: 86/100 What they say: A 2003 vintage Caol Ila […]
• Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2003 Small Batch (46%, Cadenheads, Bourbon Casks, 738 Bottles, 2014) - Whisky Review: Caol Ila 10 Years Old 2003 Small Batch Islay single malt scotch whisky 46% ABV, £75 for 70cl Score: 86/100 What they say: Distilled in 2003 at the Caol Ila […]
• Caol Ila 12 Years Old (43%, OB, 2017) - Caol Ila 12 Years Old Whisky Review: A wonderful expression full of mossy and earthy peat, which not only brings smoke but also accentuates an earthiness on the palate which is really the highlight for me. 84/100
• Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2000 53.222 The three little pigs (58.4%, SMWS, Refill HH, 284 Bottles, 2014) - Review: Caol Ila 13 Years Old 2000 – 53.222 The three little pigs Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Caol Ila distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 53.222 The three […]
• Caol Ila 15 Years Old 1998 Unpeated – 2014 Special Release ~ 60.3% (Diageo) - Caol Ila 15 Years Old 1998 Unpeated – 2014 Special Release Single malt scotch whisky 60.3% ABV, £75 for 70cl Score: 84/100 What they say: This limited edition cask strength single malt […]
• Caol Ila 16 Years Old 1996 53.191 Candy Fruit Filled Seashells (56.3%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 245 Bottles, 2013) - Caol Ila 16 Years Old 1996 – 53.191 Candy Fruit Filled Seashells (SMWS) 56.3% ABV, outturn 245 bottles, £59 for 70cl (Coal Ila) Score: 74/100 What they say: Cask No. 53.191 The […]
• Caol Ila 17 Years Old 1996 Cask 10123 Old Malt Cask ~50% (Hunter Laing) - Caol Ila 17 Years Old 1996 Cask 10123 – Old Malt Cask ~50% (Hunter Laing & Co. Ltd) 50% ABV, £80 for 70cl Score: 85/100 What they say: A 1996 vintage Caol […]
• Caol Ila 18 Years Old 1994 Private Collection Sassicaia Wood Finish (45%, Gordon & MacPhail, 1100 bottles, 2012) - Although this is one of the smoothest and most interesting Caol Ila expression I have had in a long time, there are still some elements of this distillate that I can't seem to love no matter how hard I try. This is a very special combination of subtle smoke and huge fruity wine flavours and all credit to Gordon & MacPhail for a superb maturation and bottling. 86/100
• Caol Ila 18 Years Old 1995 53.198 Wasabi on a California roll (59.1%, SMWS, Refill Sherry Butt, 510 Bottles, 2014) - Caol Ila 18 Years Old 1995 – 53.198 Wasabi on a California roll Single malt scotch whisky 59.1% ABV Score: 84/100 What they say: An image of an old derelict wooden pier […]
• Caol Ila 20 Years Old 1992 53.178 A pebble beach with iodine (55.8%, SMWS, 281 Bottles, 2013) - Caol Ila 20 Years Old 1992 – 53.178 A pebble beach with iodine (SMWS) 55.8% ABV, £68 for 70cl Score: 80/100 What they say: The distillery overlooks the Sound of Islay and […]
• Caol Ila 2004 (Bottled 2016) Connoisseur’s Choice ~ 46% (Gordon & MacPhail) - Whisky Review: Caol Ila 2004 (Bottled 2016) Connoisseur’s Choice Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Caol Ila Distillery Bottling: Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseur’s Choice ABV: 46% Cost: £42.43 from Master of […]
• Caol Ila 22 Years Old 1992 53.193 To bring a smile to every face (49.9%, SMWS, Bourbon Barrel, Member Pack, 2014) - Caol Ila 22 Years Old 1992 – 53.193 To bring a smile to every face Islay single malt scotch whisky 49.9% ABV, 10cl bottle received in SMWS membership gift pack Score: 86/100 […]
• Caol Ila 22 Years Old 1992 53.212 Peat smoke and Para Handy puffers ~ 56.4% (SMWS) - Review: Caol Ila 22 Years Old 1992 – 53.212 Peat smoke and Para Handy puffers Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Origin: Caol Ila distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 53.212 […]
• Caol Ila 25 Year Old ~ 42% (Diageo) - Caol Ila 25 Year Old (Official Bottling) 42% ABV, £130-165 for 70cl Score: 85/100 What they say: Launched in 2010 this is a 25 Year Old Caol Ila bottled at 43% ABV […]
• Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 Oloroso Cask #985 ~ Cask strength (Diageo) - Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 Oloroso Cask Finish [Cask #985] (Single Cask Sample) ~ low 50’s % ABV (at a guess), £ priceless Score: 86/100 What they say: Distilled in 1988 […]
• Caol Ila 27 Years Old 1983 Cask 1118 ~ 46% (Carn Mor) - Caol Ila 27 Years Old 1983 Cask 1118 Islay single malt scotch whisky 46% ABV, £19.50 for 20cl Score: 92/100 What they say: The Carn Mor Vintage Collection is a truly unique […]
• Caol Ila 5 Years Old 2011 Provenance (46%, Douglas Laing, Refill HH #11346, 2016) - Very pleasant, sweetened and peat-fuelled with a little honey and toffee malt to keep it pleasant, Caol Ila is surprisingly good at this age and this is a particularly great example! 86/100
• Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2001 Moscatel Finish ~ 43% (Diageo) - Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2001 Moscatel Finish (Official Bottling) 43% ABV, £45-£70 for 70cl Score: 84/100 What they say: Each Distillers Edition expression undergoes a second (or ‘double’) maturation in casks that […]
• Caol Ila Feis Ile 2013 – Triple Matured ~ 56.5% (Diageo) - Caol Ila Feis Ile 2013 -Triple Matured (Official Bottling) 56.5% ABV, £100 for 70cl from Caol Ila Distillery shop Score: 87/100 What they say: “Spirit distilled in 1998 has been triple-cask matured. […]
• Caol Ila Moch ~ 43% (Diageo) - Review: Caol Ila Moch single malt scotch whisky Caol Ila Distillery – Diageo 43% ABV £41.39 from Master of Malt Score: 82/100 What they say: Taking its name from the Gaelic for […]
• Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve (59.6%, OB, Special Releases, 2013) - Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve 2013 – Diageo Special releases (Official Bottling) 59.6% ABV, £70 for 70cl Score: 82/100 What they say: A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt. From Caol Ila, an […]
• Islay #1 Batch 1 (56.9%, That Boutique-Y Whisky Company, 2017) - Another delicious Islay single malt, this is a great example, plenty of peat but with some lovely coastal, malty and generally meaty and bbq flavours to enjoy too. 88/100