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Caol Ila 12

Writer's picture: S&PS&P

We've been making our way around Islay since we started this nearly a year ago now. We've got a handful of Kilchoman bottles on deck here too. Once those are reviewed we'll have covered every distillery in operation on the island. The progress and the bucket list crossing has been fun.


Caol Ila 12, 43% ABV. $95 CAD in Ontario.


We sniff around:


Scott gets a Lagavulin 8 smell.


Simon thinks it's a different kind of peat, earthier. Sweeter. It belongs in that family. There's a nice sea air/sea salt to it too.


Scott pulls some dry grass. Sean says it's more wet grass, he gets a herbal aroma too.


Kyle says lemon. Yea citrus is good. It's like that fake lemon juice.


It's a smooth nose, not much bite to it.


We cheers.


Simon says that's a nice smoke, earthy peat. Nice spice, somewhere halfway between cayenne and black pepper.


Scott agrees with the earthy peat, nice light sweetness. Honey. Salty finish. Smooth drinking. There's almost like a mossiness to it.


Kyle still gets the lemon.


Sean points out the oiliness.


We're talking about doing a Lagavulin 8, Caol Ila 12, and Ardbeg Wee Beastie blind side by side to see if we can pick them out. They've all got their nuances but definitely in the same family. The Caol Ila is on the more balanced smoother sweeter side.


Reviews: Simon's pick so he starts us off. This is an 83 for him. It's not particularly complex but it's got a nice balance and great flavors. It's going on rotation with Lagavulin 8, Peat Monster, and Ardbeg 10. He likes the Lag 8 a bit more but this differentiates itself enough to warrant being put on rotation. Kyle may or may not have it on his shelf, but he'd never refuse a drink. He likes the honey note. Pins this at an 80. Trevor really likes this. Amazing nose. The peat is great. The smoky sweet nails his tastebuds. He goes 87. Scott lands at a 91. This is so refined and delivers on everything it's trying to be. Loves the smooth feel. Would go perfectly with a thick steak. Sean closes us out with an 87. Averages out to 85.6.


Overall: The S&P crew recommends you give this one a shot. It doesn't have the bite of some of the other young bourbon refill Islays, but it's still full flavored, and so it lands you something you can have with a meal, late night, bring it to a get together, anytime really. It ends up at 86 points on the value scales, which puts it up there at number 6.


Cheers!

The S&P Crew.



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