|
Caol Ila
Region: Islay
District: North
Shore
Caol Ila (pronounced "cull-eela") was built
in 1846 by Hector Henderson and lies peacefully in the Port
of Askaig overlooking the Sound of Islay on the Northeast
shore of Islay. Caol Ila means "Sound of Islay," in Gaelic,
which is the body of water that separates Islay from the Isle
of Jura. The view from the distillery stillhouse oversees
the Sound and carries the eye out to the famous Paps (mountains)
of Jura. It is claimed that this may be the finest view from
any distillery anywhere. The entire distillery, except for
the warehouses, was rebuilt in 1972-74, when its production
capacity was increased from two stills to six. It is an excellent
Islay malt coveted by single malt connoisseurs everywhere.
As a single malt, Caol Ila is very rare. It could be found
only in independent bottlings until as recently as 1988.
15 year old
|
|
| Proof |
86 |
| Color |
Straw and honey. |
| Nose |
Very fragrant
with peat and smoke. Pungent. |
| Body |
Medium and firm. |
| Palate |
Assertive. Full
and very round with smoke and a hint of sweetness. Medicinal. |
| Finish |
Very long. Some
smoke, spice and peat. |
|
