Caol Ila 1984 10 Year Old Wilson & Morgan

Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Samaroli

Samaroli is something of an iconic bottler that has released many a wonderful cask. I first tried this Caol Ila from 1998 at a whisky festival and took home a sample, that I try today with a lot of gusto, since it was one of the highlights of the festival for me. Wonderfully sweet, ashes infused nose. Loads of fish and linseed oil, white fruit,...

Score 90/100

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1996 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask

Old Malt Cask is a series from Douglas Laing (at least it used to be, nowadays it belongs to Hunter Laing) in which some exceptionally good, mostly older, malts are bottled at the golden drinking strength of 50% ABV. This Caol Ila is 18 years old and was distilled in September 1996 and bottled in September 2014. Typical, wonderful nose on ashes,...

Score 86/100

Caol Ila Chieftan's bottling 17 year

Bright start grows into honey and crisp end. Looooonnngg petey finish goes on forever. Tiniest bit of smoke but perfect for those who don't like smokiness like me. Never had one with a finish like this. Incredibly clear spirit from just the oak alone (no dyes make the color).

Score 90/100

Caol Ila New Make Spirit

Having a soft spot for new make and then getting hold of a sample of spirit from your favorite Islay distillery? Well, double whammy! This new make is not commercially available, but I will nevertheless gladly share my thoughts with you. Very clean nose on raw barley and – don’t laugh – peas and carrots from a tin. The Scots call this ‘two veg’,...

Score 80/100