Adaminak
Caol Ila 12 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
July 30, 2016 (edited September 7, 2019)
The nose is like sitting in an antique wood chair that's been heavily polished with lemon Pledge, on a beach, in the fall, next to a smoldering campfire. Got that image, and more importantly, the attending aromas, in mind? Now take a sip and prepare to taste that, because it's how the palate opens; rich with lemon, seaweed, a bit of wood, brine, smoke and maybe just a hint of kippers. These exceptional flavors give way to a LOT of eucalyptus before the smoke shows up to close things out with just a lingering hint of astringency. It's been a long time since I've had a bottle (almost impossible to find here), and I don't remember it being this exceptional. Definitely one to keep on-hand.
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One of my favorites! Caol Ila is often overlooked, as most peatheads focus on Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Ardbeg! A hidden gem - and a well written review! (and yet another comment to your record list!)
I'm almost afraid to reply but 33 comments must be a record😄. You can see why I'm GeologyJack and not ITJack!
Do I get a prize for most comments on a review note? :-D
#GeologySpam 😂 rofl
Sorry! I don't know what happened with that comment!
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
I stopped at the mega liquor store off I-95 at the DE-PA line today and they had exactly one single malt of a known (to me) brand (Old Puteny 12 - I picked it up). Laph and Lag were in the $60 range, but $50 is the price point I use to keep peace at home. The Irish whiskys were a bit more affordable but the ones I've tried lack complexity. I wouldnt mind pushing the domestic bliss envelop if I knew I was getting something I would like.
Adaminak: the premiuim you pay for northern beauty. Just like the premium I pay in central NJ for living in sheer congestion 😉
I miss CONUS prices; Up here in the great white north, Laphroaig 10 is $58 and Ardbeg 10 is $70, Uigedail and Corryvrecken (when I can find them) are both $105.
All/Matt: Same here on Long Island. Caol Ila, local, I can get for about $62. Laph/Ardbeg mid $40's.
Wow, didn't realize this was so hard to find. I have tried at a bar and enjoyed, but with only one 2 ounce pour It didn't strike me as vastly superior to Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig 10. I never judge after a single pour, but in Indiana, Caol Ila is $69.99 versus $44.99 for Laphroaig and $45.99 for Ardbeg. Readily available but quite pricey when compared to two of my favorites. I am definitely picking up a bottle after this review!
As most of this stuff ends up in Diageo's various blends, I'm guessing the resurgence of whisky popularity has put a crimp in the proportionately small single-malt offerings. Sad, but nobody ever accused Diageo of not knowing where the money is...
It IS strangely hard to find... I had to drive 3 states away to snag a fifth. Your review is BANG ON.