Est. 1846 • Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Scotland

Caol Ila

"The gentle giant of Islay"

Caol Ila is an Islay single malt made on the Sound of Islay, looking across to the Isle of Jura. It is the largest distillery on the island by capacity, and much of its spirit goes into blends, yet as a single malt it has a character all its own. Where its south-coast neighbours are heavy and tarry, Caol Ila is lighter and oilier, with a fresh, maritime smoke. Expect lemon, brine and a wisp of bonfire over a clean, slightly waxy body.

1846

Founded

Islay

Region

Sound of Islay

Home

Light peat

House Style

Islay's Lighter Smoke

Where Caol Ila sits among the island's malts

Caol Ila was founded in 1846 on the Sound of Islay, the narrow channel that separates the island from Jura. It is the largest distillery on Islay by capacity, and a good deal of its spirit has always gone into blends, so for years it was better known to blenders than to malt drinkers.

As a single malt, Caol Ila is the gentler side of Islay. The peat is there, but it reads as fresh and coastal rather than heavy and tarry. Think lemon, sea brine and a clean wisp of bonfire smoke over an oily, slightly waxy body. That lighter touch is what sets it apart from the bigger, more medicinal malts of the island's south coast.

To understand where that smoke comes from, read our guide to what makes Islay whisky so smoky, see how the distillery itself works on the Caol Ila distillery page, and browse the wider Scotch whisky catalogue.

The Range

How the core Caol Ila bottlings sit against each other, everyday to occasion

The unaged introduction

Caol Ila Moch

A no-age-statement bottling and an easy first step. Light smoke, citrus and a soft sweetness, gentler than the 12 and made for pouring often.

The house style

Caol Ila 12 Year Old

The definitive Caol Ila. Fresh maritime smoke, lemon and brine over an oily, slightly waxy body. This is the bottle that shows why the distillery is called Islay's lighter peated malt.

The sweeter step up

Caol Ila Distillers Edition

The 12 finished in Moscatel-seasoned casks, layering dried fruit and a rounder sweetness over the smoke. More weight and a longer finish.

The full-power Caol Ila

Caol Ila Cask Strength and older bottlings

Bottled at higher strength or with extra years in oak, the smoke turns thicker and the oiliness deeper. Add a little water and let the coastal, ashy notes open up.

How to Drink It

Caol Ila is one of the easier ways into peated whisky. Pour the 12 Year Old neat or with a few drops of water and let the coastal smoke settle. Its lighter body also makes it a fine base for a smoky Highball, long over ice with soda and a twist of lemon, where the brine and citrus carry the drink. Keep the cask-strength bottlings for slow sipping, with water to taste.