🥃 Caol Ila
Caol Ila is a peated Islay single malt from a distillery near Port Askaig, founded in 1846. Six stills, 6.5 million litres a year; owned by Diageo. The style is smoky yet citrusy and maritime.
Caol Ila is an Islay single malt Scotch whisky for anyone who likes peat smoke but finds some of its island neighbours too heavy. The distillery stands near Port Askaig on the east of the Isle of Islay. It was founded by Hector Henderson in 1846, and after its 1972 rebuild it became the largest on the island: six stills, 6.5 million litres a year. The name means “Sound of Islay” in Gaelic, and the owner is Diageo.
History. The original distillery was demolished in 1972 and built anew, increasing the number of stills from two to six. It was previously owned by various companies, including DCL and United Distillers; Diageo has owned it since 1997. In 2011 the capacity was expanded to 6.5 million litres. Caol Ila long served as an important part of blends, including Johnnie Walker. The first permanent official bottling, the 12-year-old, appeared in 2002.
How it is made. The malt is heavily peated, but a long fermentation, a high cut point and tall stills reduce the “heaviness” of the phenols; that is why Caol Ila is often described as citrusy and maritime, with gentle smoke. The water comes from Loch Nam Burn. From the 1980s an unpeated “Highland-style” spirit was also made for blends.
The range. Moch (no age statement), 12, 18 and 25 years, Distillers Edition and annual special releases.
Why this matters to you. Caol Ila is peated, but softer than some other Islay whiskies. The age on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1846, Hector Henderson (Port Askaig, Islay); rebuilt in 1972 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Islay) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | heavily peated barley malt; water from Loch Nam Burn |
| Distillation method | twice, 6 copper stills; capacity 6.5 million litres a year |
| Minimum maturation | from 3 years in oak by law; 12 years is the permanent version since 2002 |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Caol Ila → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo, 🥃 Maltster
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What is made from it
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker Green Label, 🥃 Johnnie Walker Red Label
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Islay whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Peated whisky, 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Lagavulin, 🥃 Laphroaig, 🥃 Talisker, 🥃 Talisker, 🥃 Lagavulin, 🥃 Laphroaig, 🥃 Johnnie Walker Double Black, 🥃 Ardbeg
Frequently asked questions
Is this the biggest distillery on Islay?
According to Whiskypedia, after the 1972 rebuild it became the largest on the island, and since 2011 the capacity has been 6.5 million litres a year.
Does a US label show proof as well as ABV?
Yes; the US label also gives proof next to ABV. In every market, the age statement refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle.
Is it as heavy as other peated Islay whiskies?
No. The malt is heavily peated, but a long fermentation, a high cut point and tall stills soften the phenols, so it reads as smoky yet citrusy and maritime.
What do people in Britain and America eat with peated whisky?
Smoked fish, oysters and strong cheese are the classic partners.
Which bottling should a newcomer look for?
The twelve-year-old has been the permanent official bottling since 2002; the range has others, so check the version on the label.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
Similar
🥃 Port Ellen · 🥃 Lagavulin · 🥃 Bowmore · 🥃 Talisker · 🥃 Kilchoman · 🥃 Oban
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Caol Ila (Hector Henderson 1846; 1972 rebuild, six stills; 6.5 mln litres; Loch Nam Burn; Diageo)
- Difford's Guide: Caol Ila Distillery (established 1846, capacity 6.5 mln litres, Diageo)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)