Caol Ila 18 Year (2017 Special Release)

Single Malt

Caol Ila // Islay, Scotland

  • Cost

  • Distiller Score

    93

  • Avg. Rating

    4.47
    4 out of 5 stars
    ( 30 )

Released in 2017 as part of Diageo's annual fall special release collection, this Islay single malt was aged for 18 years, and is from the distillery's brief annual unpeated malt distillation. It was matured in refill American oak hogsheads. Quantities are limited worldwide.

  • age
    18 Year
  • abv
    59.8
  • Single Malt
    Distilled in pot stills from 100% malted barley, produced at one distillery, aged in barrels; if Scotch or Irish, must be aged for at least three years.
  • Cask Type
    refill American oak hogheads

Tasting Notes

"Wait — this doesn't smell like Caol Ila. Ah yes, it's the unpeated edition, with the nose offering vanilla, cream, and well, vanilla cream soda, along with whispers of bright citrus and dried fruits. Even without the peat, there's still a distinctly Caol Ila black pepper punch that shows big on the palate, especially at cask strength, along with salt, toffee, spice, dark fruits, and citrus zest. The finish goes and goes, starting hot but mellowing into pleasant aftershocks of the palate. "

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