Tastes

One of my personal favourites. Easy to enjoy, slightly spicy and with a refined, gentle smoky finish. I had the fortune visit Caol Ila distillery, and the 12 year old is easily the most accessible, but if you are to try an even better Caol Ila, try getting a hold of their 18 year old. It's more refined in my opinion. Nevertheless, the 12 year old is a great whisky with something for everyone to love in it. I recommend this whisky to people who are fond of Islay whiskies, but want something lighter than your Ardbegs and Laphroaigs, and want something slightly different from Lagavulin without going to Bunnahabhain or Kilchoman. The Caol Ila 12 is simply delightfully different.

The peat is still the first thing to hit you, reminding you that this is unquestionably a Laphroaig whisky. It's warm in the mouth, and burns only a little, and it burns in a good way. It's so well rounded and smooth that you'd be surprised to hear that it's bottled at 48 ABV. This is a whisky every fan of peated whiskies should have, because it's perfectly balanced while still retaining that trademark Islay taste.