Nose: Fresh, crisp and smoky-herbal. It has weight but is uplifting and is led by peat-reek, but it’s a very elegant type of smoke with nuances of lemon and oregano. It also has a distinct maritime quality with brine, wet sand and seaweed all being brought to mind. This expands into iodine but it’s fresh and windswept rather than medicinal. In the background there are hints of mint and cigar boxes. Palate: A full and commanding smoky arrival. Clean, fresh and direct rather than rounded but also creamy, even oily. In the development the smoke broadens to include citrus oil, salt licorice, honey-glazed ham, smoked fish and a light sweet fruity presence (stewed fruit?). The texture is full and rich and the smoke settles down to a tarry dryness as it moves into the finish. Finish: Long: Briny and tarry smoky with a touch of warm spice and resin, then fading out into a very well balanced demi-sec aftertaste. Assertively smoky but very well balanced. The smoky/tarry character provides an amber-toned canvas on which a calm and relaxing seascape is painted by the other aromas and flavours. My last bottle of Caol Ila was about 3 years ago and I was impressed then, as always, by this dependable 12 year old that is often overshadowed by the more hyped Islay smokies. This current bottle (a 2018 batch) is as good as ever – maybe even the best I’ve tasted. A most enjoyable and accomplished malt that is great value for the money. The distillery has been gaining attention recently but this excellent expression is an underappreciated gem. “Very Good” : 86/100 (4 stars) -------------------------------------------------------------- Original Distiller review, April 30, 2017 Nose: An enormous hit of peat is the first thing I get - not smoke but the slightly sour, oily, earthy and vegetal aroma of fresh peat. This is then followed almost instantly by a light, fresh smokiness and a lot of supporting maritime notes - seaweed, seashells and wet sand. Also a hint of strong black tea in the background and some notes of hospital bandages (but not nearly as strong as in Laphroaig). Taste: A mouth-watering ocean of sweet peat smoke with a rich, oily mouthfeel. Very luscious and satisfying. Citrus notes and Dutch salt licorice, lemon oil, and that sweetness overlaying everything. A touch of glazed baked ham. Finish: Medium-long with a sweet resinous quality and smoke in the aftertaste. For a whisky that is basically a hymn to the god of peat, this manages to stay pretty balanced and not become a one-trick pony. A very nice whisky but I'd mention one caveat: Do not add water. It does not need it, and it spoils the experience. Even a drop or two seems to make the peat turn sour and waxy. As good as it is alone I have the distinct impression that Caol Ila has unique qualities that make it a perfect ingredient for blending. The marriage of Talisker and Caol Ila in Johnnie Walker blends, particularly the Black and Green Label, is legendary and it is also an important component of Compass Box Peat Monster. A most enjoyable, rounded and accomplished malt that is excellent value for money but seems to be often overlooked or dismissed as Lagavulin's "little sister". This is a shame because Caol Ila is right up there with the other much better known smokey Islay whiskies. I could easily adopt it as a dependable everyday dram. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars) --------------------------------------------------------------