Caol Ila - Scotch Malt Whisky - Region: Islay
WF Distillery Ranking: Troisième Cru Classé (all current rankings here)

Status: Active - Stills: 6 (3 wash, 3 spirit) - Founded: 1846
Address: Port Askaig, Islay, Argyll, PA46 7RL - Phone: +44 (0) 1496-302760
Web: www.discovering-distilleries.com/caolila - More info: Malt Madness

My favourite expression so far:
Caol Ila 12 yo 1974 (63%, The London Scottish Malt Whisky Society – James MacArthur, cask #74231)

96 points
Last tasted: September 14, 2006 - Tasting notes: here

General Distillery Profile - keywords (wazzat?)
<20yo: Peat Fresh Apple Smoke Liquorice Tea Lemon Grassy Pepper Salt
>20yo: Peat Tea Apples Smoke Pepper Lemon Liquorice Walnut Oil Paraffin

Points, whiskies
96 - Caol Ila 12yo 1974 (63%, James McArthur, C#74·23·1, The London Scottish)
96 - Caol Ila 15yo Manager's Dram (63%, OB, Dark sherry, Btl. 07/'90)
96 - Caol Ila 15yo 1969/1984 (60.4%, G&M for Intertrade, Celtic label)
96 - Caol Ila 1968 (57%, Samaroli, oval label, 1980's)
96 - Caol Ila 17yo 1974/1991 (61.1%, Signatory, C#5-9, 3000 Bts.)
96 - Caol Ila 1968 (58.5%, Gordon & McPhail ‘Cask’ for Meregalli, 1980’s)
95 - Caol Ila 16yo 1969/1985 (40%, Intertrade)
94 - Caol Ila 15yo (57%, Bulloch Lade & Co. Ltd., 75cl, Orange label)
93 - Caol Ila 26yo 1979/2005 (57.2%, The Whisky Fair, C#1356, 212 Bts.)
92 - Caol Ila 15yo (43% Bulloch Lade, Ceramic)
92 - Caol Ila 18yo (57%, G&M for Sestante, Sherry wood, Late 1970’s, Italy)
91 - Caol Ila 18yo 1981/1997 (63.8%, Flora & Fauna ‘cask strength’)
91 - Caol Ila 1979/2005 (60.9%, The Cross Hill, Jack Wieber's, 204 Bts..)
91 - Caol Ila 25yo 1979/2005 (50%, DL OMC, DL 1358, 296 Bts.)
91 - Caol Ila 27yo 1974/2002 (54.3%, SV for W Mag ‘EC2002’, C#12622, 225 Bts.)
91 - Caol Ila 27yo 1979/2006 (58.1%, JWWW Old Train Line, C#2442, 200 Bts.)
91 - Caol Ila 1966/1995 (40%, G&M Centenary Reserve)
90 - Caol Ila '4200 days old' (57.7%, Signatory, Bottling No. 17, +/-2000)
90 - Caol Ila 15yo 1969 (40%, G&M Connoisseurs Choice)
90 - Caol Ila 15yo 1989/2005 (58.1%, Jack Wieber’s Castle series, C#4544, 180 Bts.)
90 - Caol Ila 21yo 1984/2006 (58.5%, DR for 'The Nectar', Refill B, C#6266, 251 Bts.)
90 - Caol Ila 22yo 1984/2007 (55.9%, The Whisky Fair, Sherry, 287 Bts.)
90 - Caol Ila 25yo 1979/2004 (50%, DL OMC, DL 1355, 266 Bts.)
90 - Caol Ila 26yo 1975/2001 (56.1%, Signatory, C#459, 242 Bts.)
90 - Caol Ila 1979/2006 (57.4%, Taste Still, C#2796, 227 Bts.)
90 - Caol Ila 1979/2006 (46%, Jean Boyer's Best Casks of Scotland)
90 - Caol Ila 36yo 1965/2002 (45.6%, Gordon & MacPhail Private Coll., C#4211)

• Caol Ila NAS 'Cask Strength' (55%, OB, +/-2002) - no notes - 88
• Caol Ila 'Cask Strength' (55%, OB, 2004) - 251104
• Caol Ila NAS ‘Distillery Only’ (58.4%, OB, 2000 bottles, 2007) - no notes - 88
• Caol Ila 8 yo ‘Unpeated Style’ (59.8%, OB, 12990 bottles, 2006) - 210906
• Caol Ila 12 yo (43%, OB) - 110604
• Caol Ila 12 yo (43%, OB, 2004) - 031204
• Caol Ila 12 yo (40%, OB, circa 2007) - 280807
• Caol Ila 15 yo (57%, OB, Bulloch & Lade, orange label) - 201204
• Caol Ila 15 yo (43%, OB, ceramic, 1980’s) - 300506
• Caol Ila 15 yo ‘Manager’s Dram’ (63%, OB, for the SMD staff association, bottled 1990) - 140906
• Caol Ila 15 yo (43%, Flora & Fauna) - 130304
• Caol Ila 18 yo (43%, OB) - 110604 - 251104
• Caol Ila 18 yo (43%, OB, circa 2007) - 290807

• Caol Ila 20 yo 1975/1996 (61.12%, UD Rare Malts, 20cl) - no notes - 89
• Caol Ila 23 yo 1978/2002 (61.7%, Rare Malts) - 170407
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1978/2004 (59.4%, OB) - 170305
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1979/2006 (58.4%, OB, 6000 bottles) - 171106
• Caol Ila 18 yo 1981/1997 (63.8%, Flora & Fauna ‘cask strength’) - 150107
• Caol Ila 1993/2006 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB) - 300506

• Caol Ila 1993/2005 (59.9%, Adelphi, cask #6779) - 191105
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1993/2006 (60.0%, Adelphi, cask #6797, 266 bottles) - 150107

• Caol Ila 1982/2007 (46%, Berry Bros and Rudd, cask #727/8) - 290807
• Caol Ila 19 yo 1983/2002 (46%, Berry Bros) - 050304
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1991/2007 (46%, Berry Bros and Rudd) - 290807
• Caol Ila 1996/2006 (57%, Berry Bros.) - 150107

• Caol Ila 25 yo 1979/2004 (61.2%, Blackadder for Sun Favourite Taiwan, hogshead #5334, 44 bottles) - 191105
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1990/2002 (58.5%, Blackadder Raw Cask, hogshead #4159) - 130304
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1993/2003 (43%, Aberdeen Distillers, bourbon cask #6978) - 280807

• Caol Ila 25 yo (53.4%, Cadenhead) - 300506
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1978/1990 (65.5%, Cadenhead's) - no notes - 89
• Caol Ila 22 yo 1984/2007 (55,5%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 246 bottles) - 311007
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1995 (60.5%, Cadenhead, Cask #12406 330 bottles) - 170706

• Caol Ila 11 yo 1990/2001 (43%, Chieftains, Rum finish, cask #90201-205) - no notes - 78
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1991/2002 (43%, Chieftain’s, Manzanilla finish, Casks #90121 – 90122, 1974 bottles) - 280807
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1992/2003 (43%, Chieftains, cask #7240-7243, 1662 bottles) - 190704

• Caol Ila 21 yo 1984/2006 (46% Coopers Choice) - 260707
• Caol Ila 14 yo 1990/2004 (46%, Coopers Choice) - 120305
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1991 (46%, Coopers Choice) - 280807
• Caol Ila 9 yo 1992/2002 (43%, Cooper’s Choice) - 130304

• Caol Ila 15 yo 1991/2006 (56%, Dewar Rattray, cask #742, 318 bottles) - 130606
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1991/2006 (56,7%, Dewar Rattray, bourbon C#743, 315 bottles) - 150107

• Caol Ila 10 yo (46%, Douglas Laing Premier Barrel, 301 bottles) - 170605
• Caol Ila 26 yo 1974/2001 (50%, DL OMC, 294 bottles) - no notes - 89
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1979/2004 (50%, DL OMC, DL 1357, 385 bottles) - no notes - 89
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1979/2004 (50%, DL OMC, DL 1355, 266 bottles) - no notes - 90
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1979/2005 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, DL 1358, 296 bottles) - 191105
• Caol Ila 24 yo (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, circa 2004) - 190106
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1980/2006 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, Refill Hogs, Ref 2405, 327 bottles) - 161107
• Caol Ila 17 yo 1986/2004 (56.2%, Douglas Laing for Whiskyship 2004, 297 bottles) - 031204
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1990/2002 (43%, McGibbon’s Provenance Winter/Winter) - 130304
• Caol Ila 17 yo 1990/2007 (50%, Douglas Lain OMC, finished in rum cask, 182 bottles, ref #3898) - 270108
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1991/2004 (50%, DL OMC, cask #879, 860 b., 6 month sherry finish) - 050304
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1991/2004 (50%, DL OMC, cask #DL 876, 360 bottles, 6 month sherry finish) - 251104
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1992/2005 (50%, Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 388 bottles) - 150107

• Caol Ila 14 yo 1991/2005 (53.80%, Dun Bheagan for Movenpick Wien, hogshead, cask #4736, 330 bottles) - 290807

• Caol Ila 10 yo 1990/2000 (43%, Dun Eideann, cask #11132-37, France) - no notes - 85
• Caol Ila 9 yo 1991/2000 (46%, Dun Eideann Italie, casks #3199/3203) - 190306

• Caol Ila 12 yo 1990/2003 (46%, Whisky Galore) - no notes - 83
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1992/2005 (46%, Whisky Galore) - 061205
• Caol Ila 14 yo 1992/2007 (46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore) - 290807

• Caol Ila 23 yo 1984/2007 (50.7%, Exclusive Malts, finished in 'Madiera' hogshead, cask #2729, 386 bottles) - 120308

• Caol Ila 36 yo 1965/2002 (45.6%, Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection, cask #4211) - 050207
• Caol Ila 1966/1995 (40%, G&M Centenary Reserve) - 090607
• Caol Ila 1968 (58.5%, Gordon & MacPhail ‘Cask’ for Meregalli, 1980’s) - 150107
• Caol Ila 1968 (58.5%, Gordon & MacPhail, green lettering, 1980’s) - 161107
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1969 (40%, G&M Connoisseur’s Choice) - 201204
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1969/1984 (60.4%, G&M for Intertrade, celtic label) - 300506
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1969/1985 (40%, Intertrade) - 100607
• Caol Ila 1974 (40%, Gordon & MaccPhail CC old map label) - 300506
• Caol Ila 14 yo 1980/1994 (62.6%, G&M Cask series) - 130304
• Caol Ila 1981/1995 (63.1%, G&M Cask, casks #1747-50-52-53) - 010807
• Caol Ila 1981/1996 (63.4%, Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength, casks #2081 /2086) - 201005
• Caol Ila 1981/1996 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail CC, old map label) - 201005
• Caol Ila 1984/2000 (40%, G&M Connoisseur’s Choice) - 120604
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1988/2001 (40%, G&M Private Coll. Sherrywood finish, c. #87/330) - 120604
• Caol Ila 13 yo 1988/2002 (57.6%, Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength, casks #1084-1087) - 300605
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1990/2001 (40%, G&M Private Coll. Portwood finish, c. #99/47) - 120604
• Caol Ila 1994/2003 (40%, G&M for Meregali, Italy) - 031204
• Caol Ila 1994/2005 (58,2%, G&M Cask, First fill sherry butts #12423 & 12424) - 150107
• Caol Ila 1995/2006 'Marsala Finish' (45%, Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection, 1200 bottles) - 280807

• Caol Ila 10 yo 1988/1999 (43%, Hart Brothers) - 130304
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1993/2003 (57.3%, Hart Bros, cask #6996) - 170605

• Caol Ila 1996/2006 (57.3%, Helen Arthur, Refill Hogshead # 734, Anniversary Versailles Dranken, 338 bottles) - 280807

• Caol Ila 1979/2005 (60.9%, The Cross Hill, Jack Wieber's, 204 bottles) - 061205
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1979 (41.7%, Jack Wiebers Auld Distillers Collection) - 031204
• Caol Ila 27 yo 1979/2006 (58.1%, JWWW Old Train Line, cask #2442, 200 bottles) - 170407
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1989/2005 (58.1%, Jack Wieber’s Castle series, cask #4544, 180 bottles) - 290807
• Caol Ila 1995 (58.3%, Jack Wieber’s Prenzlow Collection) - 170706

• Caol Ila 12 yo 1974 (63%, The London Scottish Malt Whisky Society – James MacArthur, cask #74231) - 140906
• Caol Ila 12 yo (60.2%, James MacArthur, early 1990’s) - 201005
• Caol Ila 25 yo 1982/2007 (55.5%, James MacArthur, Special Reserve, cask #731) - 170407

• Caol Ila 1979/2006 (46%, Jean Boyer's Best Casks of Scotland) - 290807
• Caol Ila 1979/2006 (61.8%, Jean Boyer's Best Casks of Scotland) - 171106
• Caol Ila 1995/2006 (58.2%, Jean Boyer Best, Casks of Scotland, 300 bottles) - 280807

• Caol Ila 23 yo 1974/1998 (60%, Kingsbury, cask #12618) - 120308

• Caol Ila 1979/2006 (60.4%, McKillop’s Choice) - 170407
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1989 (43%, Mac Kullick’s Choice) - 280807
• Caol Ila 1990/2005 (43%, McKillop’s Choice) - 201005

• Caol Ila 10 yo 1996/2006 (46%, Berry Bros - John Milroy, refill hogshead #730, 441 bottles) - 210906

• Caol Ila 1982/1998 (50%, Moon, Horae Solaris, 480 bottles) - 290807

• Caol Ila 22 yo 1984/2006 (54.1%, Murray McDavid, enhanced in Grenache Rouge - Vin de Natural cask, 567 bottles) - 311007
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1993/2004 ‘Maverick’ (46%, Murray McDavid, bourbon/chenin) - 201005
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1993/2005 (55.1%, Murray McDavid, Bloodtub, cask #1) - no notes - 84
• Caol Ila 1993/2005 (46%, Murray McDavid, sherry cask) - 130606

• Caol Ila 1984/2006 (58.5%, Dewar Rattray for The Nectar, Belgium) - 261006

• Caol Ila 1968 (57%, Samaroli, oval label, 1980's) - 090607

• Caol Ila 1978/1993 (59.4%, Scotch Single Malt Circle, cask #3542) - 150107
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1990/2006 (54.7%, Scotch Single Malt Circle, refill sherry, cask #13144, 296 bottles) - 290807

• Caol Ila 1984/2006 (53.5%, Scott's Selection) - 260707

• Caol Ila 14 yo (64.7%, Gordon & MacPhail for Sestante, circa 1978) - 290807
• Caol Ila 18 yo (57%, G&M for Sestante, Italy, sherry wood, 70’s) - 250805
• Caol Ila 20 yo (40%, Sestante, ‘red lettering’, 1980's) - 090607

• Caol Ila 17 yo 1974/1991 (61.1%, Signatory, cask #5-9) - 010807
• Caol Ila 20 yo 1974/1995 (55.7%, Signatory, cask #12584) - 050304
• Caol Ila 27 yo 1974/2002 (54.3%, Signatory for Whisky Magazine ‘Editor’s Choice 2002’, cask #12622, 225 bottles) - 150107
• Caol Ila 28 yo 1974 (46%, The Prestonfield, cask #12625, 305 bottles) - 300506
• Caol Ila 26 yo 1975/2001 (56.1%, Signatory, cask #459, 242 bottles) - 010807
• Caol Ila 32 yo 1975/2007 (58.4%, Signatory, cask #458, 221 bottles) - 161107
• Caol Ila 26 yo 1979/2006 (62.8%, Signatory, Hogshead #05/848, 217 bottles) - 171106
• Caol Ila 21 yo 1981/2002 (58.2%, Signatory, cask #465, 364 bottles) - 300506
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1982/1998 (43%, Signatory, cask #1770-71) - no notes - 89
• Caol Ila 4200 days old (57.7%, Signatory, Bottling No. 17, circa 2000) - 280807
• Caol Ila 7 yo 1989/1997 (43%, Signatory, cask #4516) - 120604 - 300506
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1989/2000 (43%, Signatory, cask #705) - no notes - 88
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1989/2001 (46%, Signatory UCF, Re-fill Sherry, cask #5377) - no notes - 83
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1989/2001 (43%, Signatory, Bourbon cask #766-768, 610 bottles) - no notes - 86
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1991/2001 (43%, Signatory Vintage, cask #10788) - 220804
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1991/2002 (46%, Signatory UCF, cask #02/472, 1132 bottles) - no notes - 86
• Caol Ila 1991/2002 ‘Flagon Collection’ (43%, Signatory) - 170605
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1991/2003 (46%, Signatory, Port finish) - 300506
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1991/2003 (43%, Signatory, c. #14170-14173, 789 b.) - 020404
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1991/2003 (46%, Signatory Unch, Port Wood finish, c. #02/920/2, 1079 bottles.) - 020404
• Caol Ila 7 yo 1993/2000 (62.1%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 53.50) - 300605
• Caol Ila 8 yo 1994/2003 (43%, Signatory, cask #10843) - 251104 - 280807
• Caol Ila 8 yo 1994/2003 (40%, Signatory for Lavinia, cask #10843) - no notes - 85
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1994/2004 (61.3%, Signatory Straight from the Cask, cask #04/488, 402 bottles) - 250805
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1994/2005 (43%, Signatory, cask #6901) - 280807
• Caol Ila 1998/2005 ‘Very Cloudy’ (40%, Signatory for La Maison du Whisky) - 090306

• Caol Ila 23 yo 1984/2007 (57%, The Whisky Society) - 311007
• Caol Ila 14 yo 1991/2004 (56.8%, The Single Malts of Scotland, hogshead, cask #186, 183 bottles) - 290807
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1991/2006 (58.8%, The Single Malts of Scotland, hogshead, cask #100, 295 bottles) - 290807
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1991/2007 (57.9%, The Single Malts of Scotland, hogshead, cask #851, 298 bottles) - 290807
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1991/2007 (57.5%, The Single Malts of Scotland) - 161107

• Caol Ila 25 yo 1980/2005 (60.4%, SMWS #53.98) - 171106
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1990/2000 (56.5%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 53.49, 229 bottles) - 270108
• Caol Ila 7 yo 1993/2000 (62.1%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 53.50) - no notes - 88
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1993/2005 (58.3%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 53.90) - 250805

• Caol Ila 1979/2006 (57.4%, Taste Still, cask #2796, 227 bottles) - 261006
• Caol Ila 1998/2007 (63.5%, Taste Still, Whisky Live Verviers 2007, 309 bottles) - 280807

• Caol Ila ‘Very Young’ (59.4%, Whisky-Doris, 2006) - 090306
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1991/2007 (57.4%, Whisky-Doris, bourbon cask) - 100607
• Caol Ila 1994/2004 (59.3%, Whisky Doris, Germany) - 201005

• Caol Ila 26 yo 1979/2005 (57.2%, The Whisky Fair, bourbon hogshead, Cask #1356, 212 bottles) - 190106
• Caol Ila 22 yo 1984/2007 (55.9%, The Whisky Fair, 287 bottles) - 170407
• Caol Ila 22 yo 1984/2007 (59%, The Whisky Fair, bourbon hogshead, 261 bottles) - 260707
• Caol Ila 13 yo 1991/2005 (54.2%, The Whisky Fair, 359 bottles) - 230405

• Caol Ila 24 yo 1974/1998 (46%, Wilson & Morgan) - no notes - 86
• Caol Ila 24 yo 1975/2000 (54.3%, Wilson & Morgan, millennium bottling) - 010807
• Caol Ila 23 yo 1984/2007 (46%, Wilson & Morgan 'Barrel Selection', cask #3128) - 311007
• Caol Ila 1989/2001 (46%, Wilson & Morgan, Refill Sherry) - no notes - 88
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1990/2005 (55%, Wilson & Morgan, casks #4709/4710, 600 bottles) - 150107
• Caol Ila 1991/2000 (46%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection) - 190306
• Caol Ila 1992/2002 (50%, Wilson & Morgan, Extra Strength) - no notes - 84
• Caol Ila 1993/2005 (46%, Wilson & Morgan) - 061205
• Caol Ila 1995/2005 'Extra Strength' (50%, Wilson & Morgan) - 061205
• Caol Ila 1996/2007 (48%, Wilson & Morgan) - 161107

• Caol Ila 20 yo 1981(43%, Natural Color, France, circa 2001) - 290807
• Caol Ila 15 yo 1983/1997 (43%, Shieldaig Collection) - no notes - 88
• Caol Ila 14 yo 1989/2004 (57.4%, Krüger’s Whiskygalerie, Eidora n°3, 174 bottles) - 230405
• Caol Ila 16 yo 1990/2006 (56.3%, Milano Whisky Festival, 277 bottles) - 100607
• Caol Ila 1990/2007 (57%, Taste Still, cask #CO/38, 179 bottles) - 270108
• Caol Ila 1991/2002 (57.8%, Celtic Germany) - no notes - 77
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1991/2003 (56.5%, whiskyauction.com, 313 bottles) - 130304
• Caol Ila 12 yo 1991/2005 (56.9%, Artist Edition by Ian Gray, 145 bottles) - 280807
• Caol Ila 14 yo 1991/2006 ‘Eidora 6’ (56.1%, Krüger’s WhiskyAuction, 287 bottles) - 290807
• Caol Ila 11 yo 1992/2003 (46%, Eilan Gilan, bourbon) - 190704
• Caol Ila 14yo 1992/2006 (46%, The Way of Spirits) - 290807
• Caol Ila 12 yo (46%, Craigellachie Hotel, circa 2005) - 130606
• Caol Ila 7 yo 1994 (43%, Lord of Islay) - 280807
• Caol Ila 9 yo 1995/2005 (60%, Acorn, Japan) - 170706
• Caol Ila 10 yo 1995 (46%, Queen of the Moorlands, 318 bottles) - 010807
• Caol Ila 7 yo 1998/2006 ‘Eidora 7’ (60.2%, Krüger's WhiskyAuction, 287 bottles) - 280807
• Hédiard Islay Single Malt 8yo (43%, Hédiard, 2007) - 141107