Category Archives: Caol Ila
Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength NAS
Whisky: Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength NAS, 59.6%, 75cl
R600 ≈ £52
Caol Ila is one of the 8 active distilleries on Islay. Their core range consists of 4 expressions: this cask strength bottling, 12yo, 18yo, and a newly released 25yo. The majority of the whisky produced at Caol Ila is used in blends, particularly for the Johnnie Walker expressions.
Nose: Oooh. Succulent and syrupy sweet! Thick vapours. Fruity with pears and melons; both cantaloupe and green melon.
Taste: Smooth and powerful mouthfeel like burning velvet. Wonderful fresh and scuffed peat, with iodine and brine. With such high ABV this is a hot potato, you can’t hold it very long else its like chewing pepper corns… so just keep sipping! A touch of salt and citrus. Explodes with character.
Finish: Citrus comes out stronger on the finish. Strong burst of fruit sweetness. Long and intense. Toffee?
My Score: 86/100
This is a terrific dram. Tons of peat, but very well rounded with the other fruit and citrus flavours. My favourite Caol Ila so far, hands-down. If you’re a little hesitant of this whisky due to it’s cask strength nature, don’t be, just add a few drops of water and love every sip.
Other Scores: MJ 85, JH 86
