whisky review 432 - Caol Ila 12yo malt re-reviewed
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- . . . second time round with 12yo Caol Ila and some change over three years in my experience. Changes in the malt and changes in my sense of taste.
To comply with Google Adsense policy this video is an independent non-profit review and is not selling or linking to a site that sells the product being reviewed.
Today I was browsing in a liquor store in Delaware, USA, and saw a bottle of Coal Ila 12yo. I hadn't tried it before. I thought to myself, well, I think I recall Ralfy reviewing this and saying it was pretty good. So, I bought it. Just tasted it tonight and I have to say I love it. Once again, I have been very happy to have your reviews in the back of my mind while making a purchase decision. Thank you, Ralfy!
Just bought this at the Duty Free. Every time I buy a new spirit when on vacation, I watch Ralfy and drink along. I liked it. Very drinkable.
i guess im asking the wrong place but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot the login password. I appreciate any tips you can give me
@Jesse Kendrick Instablaster :)
@Forest Braylen I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Forest Braylen it worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account!
@Jesse Kendrick no problem xD
I love this one. It made me "addicted" Whisky in a positive way. I like trying different ones, bought me after a few months of abstinence of Caol Ila a bottle for Christmas. The last time I had a G&M bottled one early this summer. If you like the Islay taste or like to try it, get this one. The real taste of smoke, the fruityness and vividness. Great to have one at home. And not to forget its one with a fair price.
thank you for truly eccentric review Ralfy
I personally think Caol Ila 12 is fantastic, its the only peated green apple pear flavoured whisky out there, and yes I've had uigeadail and lagavulin
Caol ila 12 is my preference over ardbeg 10 and laproiag 10
+Tony It's my fav too, citrusy and I like how the flavors are rather clear and follow each other in a quite structured way. I prefer it over Laga 16. It can't be compared (unless by the same age) but the Lagavulin 12 yearly release denies this statement..
Im New to whisky but i only smell smoke, very often smoked ham but that's all 😅 does the flavors etc come with time or ...? I have a few bottles of whisky though. Its very smooth at the beginning
Ralfy
I am definitely a scotch newbie and I have been recovering from hip replacement surgery and therefore have had thee time during my convalescence to watch each and every one of your reviews. Thank you so much for all you do in educating those of us anxious to experience the experience of sipping single malt scotch. When I was 14 back in 1979 I went on a study tour of Scotland. It was such a wonderful country especially the highlands and the cities, though my affinity was for the countryside. Anyhow my host father provided me a dram of a single malt from a distillery near Edinburgh and back then I did not appreciate the finer aspects only that it was intoxicating.
Anyhow, I was just wondering about the offerings of independent bottlers here in the states. I live in Frederick, Maryland which is equidistant to both Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC. Most of what I see here in the region is the actual products by the distilleries. I suppose I have to do more work on this, but when you mentioned the distillery using chill filtering and additives, that kind of turned me off. I remember in Review 430 you reviewed a cask strength Gordon & Macphail bottling of Caol lla and was wondering if all independent bottlers used scotches from reputable distilleries or not. If I can find them here stateside at reasonable prices should I purchase them or should I be more conservative and buy the brands that I know will have a proven track record. Could you perhaps relay your thoughts? Thanks so much !
Mike
Hi Ralfy, stumbled upon your reviews a couple of years ago, and been watching them now and then (almost all) and i must say, they were very entertaining & educational to me! one of the experiments i followed up on was keeping a sample of freshly opened single malt, and when the bottle finishes, comparing the sample to the 3-4 months old left over in the bottle. i must say that for every single malt so far, as expected, the difference was huge. particularly for this caol ila 12yo it was the case. my experience of the fresh sample compared to your review, especially the 'pungy' part was very noticable, whereas the oxidated left over was entirely different indeed, more sugary almost i would say. Kilchoman loch gorm & vintage 2007 were even more different as in the nose & taste they were almost two different expressions (for both malts, the fresh vs older samples). i must say that for the kilcho's the 'oxidated' version i found less pleasant, whereas for Caol Ila it was the other way around. Hereby i wish to thank you for the experience!!
PS: concerning the buyers advice, I think samples offer a huge potential as well, especially concerning the more expensive cfr independent and special bottlings. this is a top tip from belgium! greetings & hoping to visit the isle & the TT some time!
I bought a bottle of this this summer. About 1/4th was consumed at the midsummer party upon opening it. Yes, it was a little bit nippy. I came back to it two weeks later and that little added exposure to oxygen had really settled this down, it wasn't rough at all any more. Will happily buy again.
Thanks ralfy for great in-depth (or as far as it is possible in that format) analysis. Quite everything you say is true for me and every sophisticated spirit consumer I know.
Nice review, and it’s also nice to see acknowledgement that, where scores are sliding (to 84 from 89 previously here), it’s product quality that’s actually degrading, not just that tastes are changing. As much as Caol Ila, Diageo and many others might not want to hear it, whisky quality is in overall decline due to a production de-emphasis, unavoidable or not, on the importance of age maturation and quality casking. It’s not unfair comment, because it’s simply true, and it’s not anything that’s going to be fixed by anyone’s marketing department either. I also give Ralfy full credit for being one of the few whisky commentators to question whether all of the price increases we’re seeing lately are entirely driven by demand alone. Higher demand has not put an end to price gouging in whisky, but it has provided a largely unquestioned cover story for it.
Here i have seen prices rise 25% overnight quite literally the exact same bottle already on display at liquor store is re-stickered w/new price. Then i get t wonder if its counterfeit phoney swill swapped out for the real deal on top of $ gouge from distiller>wholesaler>retailer. It's ludicrous to imagine this continuing much longer at this pace...
Excellent review as always, full of insights for me - thanks, Ralfy. Well, I used to love Caol Ila 12yo, but when I recently came across an unchillfiltered, uncoloured cask strength version (13yo)) by Gordon MacPhail I was knocked sideways: so much better than this somewhat muted, if mit mutilated standard!
Nice review! Just picked up a bottle. For me the camphor taste is the first and strongest taste that I get. I will try it later in a more relaxed environment and really explore the aroma and taste.
Ralphy: I just bought a bottle of this whisky and had the same reaction you had, a bit thin compared to what I remember from years ago. The palate change issue I assure everyone is absolutely true. Being a confirmed pipe smoker, some of the wonderful tobacco blends I remember from years ago now taste very different, usually not as tasty as I remember. Some of this is due to the use of different crop years and also some of my fellow pipers contend that Dunhill tobaccos, for example, are not aged as long as they used to be, also they are now blended not in England, but, horror of horrors, in Germany. Anyway, as a new subscriber I am loving your reviews. Thanks for the expertise and of course, the usual tongue in cheek sense of humor. Doug Owen.
Hi Ralfy.
Very timely vlog! Thanks.
when two of your old (and dually noted) ol'time favorites ...Strath12 and now Caol Ila12 appear to have surprisingly fallen off the curb Im afraid its more than a harbinger of the future normal.
I'm almost afraid to ask about today's quality of Lag OB's.
but you know what Ralfy I think this a prime opportunity for some of the lessor known distillers to really shine!
cheers
I agree.
Terrific stuff! Coal Isla is still a mainstay in my cabinet. Thanks for your hard work, Ralfy!
I just bought a bottle of this and paid $53 USD and really enjoying it...the first Islay whisky I have tried. At my bottle shop there were 7 bottles of Caol Ila...only 1 of which was the official bottling I purchaced. The other 6 were independent.
Cheers!
First off, good to see these videos again. It's been a while since I've taken the time to enjoy scotch in the comfort of my own home, and it didn't take long at all to remember these videos to lend a hand in the experience.
Long story short, this evening's been a whirlwind, since I started with your (now) 4-year old initial review. The relatively high score for the previous incarnation made me feel good about my purchase even though I wasn't quite getting the same impressions from my own tastings, but then I stumbled across the update and, well… maybe that's why this was in duty free.
I did notice that this was exceptionally smooth - almost too smooth, as in, lacking in the character that must have been present in the older video. Regardless, I'm not a huge scotch aficionado, and while I guess I can't pat myself on the back for this purchase, I'm still enjoying it, and it's good to see you're still putting these out, ralfy.
Never tried Caol Ila but I decided before the end of your review to try this whisky via an independent bottler.
I managed to get my hands on a 200 ml bottle of Caol Ila 5yrs, un-chill filtered and without caramel. I got it during a recent tripp to Edinburgh, from one of the tourist-whisky shops on the royal mile. It´s realy nice. One wishes that they could produce an unchill-filtered and un-carameld verison of the 12yrs.
Evening Ralfy,
As a fellow Glaswegian I think your reviews are excellent.I loved the 2012 Feis Ile bottle from Caol ila.A single cask (sherry) cask strength....as good as any independent.
I haven't been drinking whisky long enough to compare the current Caol Ila offering to past versions, but on the basis of Scotch whisky in general, I also find official Caol Ila 12y rather thin on the flavor scale. I think it's fair to compare Caol Ila 12y to the Benromach 8y Peat Smoke. The Benromach has massive, yet balanced, flavor on the palette. In comparison, the older Caol Ila sadly pales.
With that said, Caol Ila is actually my favorite whisky when purchased non-chill-filtered from independent bottlers. Also, the older, the better (in general).
Hello Ralfy!
Thanks for sharing your expert knowledge on whiskies. I've noticed that you seem to be fond of certain chocolates from Lindt. Perhaps you coud do a special vlog on the pleasures of combining whisky and chocolate?
Or did I miss it, because I'm newbie as far as your vlog is concerned?
Very valuable information as usual, thanks Ralfy.
Good review Ralfy, but I'm really looking forward to your next one!
Ralfy, Thanks so much for leading me through the wonderful world of Scotch Whisky. Awhile ago you recommended Old Pulteney, Highland Park and Caol Ila as great 12 Year Olds for a Newb to cut their teeth on. I have tried the first two (fantastic, BTW) but have not jumped in to the Caol Ila. Do you still recommend it for a beginner? Or do you have another suggestion for an Isla Single Malt? Thanks so much for sharing.
Great review, Ralfy. I was in the Alps recently, and had a glass of Caol Ila 12 at a restaurant - just because it was the best thing they had. And I was really pleasantly surprised by it. A bit syrupy, I thought, but not bad. Maybe it was because my expectations were so low, or maybe it was just because I was in the Alps, and everything seems to taste better there! I don't know. But anyway, I quite liked it.
Great review as always. :)
Looking forward to the next review.
That was a great popping sound when you opened the bottle
Picked up a bottle today here in Alabama, and they are going for $66 which is $15 higher than Ardbeg 10.
I am very much enjoying watching your reviews. I have a cold at the moment and can't really drink or smell anything and your descriptions are almost as if I were having a dram here with me. And I know this is off topic but I admire your flannel hooded shirts/jackets! Where do you get them?
I am currently tasting same whiskey, tastes very good, greetings from cold eastren finland.
Had a tasting of the James Eadie Caol Ila 12 CS SC just a few days ago.
Unique!
Very interesting.
If you like that one, maybe try the GM Sherry Cask Caol Ila or the Port Askaig (basically Caol Ila) 100 proof. I think the latter one just won some kinda price of this Jim Murray guy
Ledaig is another Peated islander that is similar to Caol Ila and cheaper. I like Ledaig...
I bought my first caol ila 12 just the other day and watched your old review of it, marking it at 89. Obviously malt marks are just an one indication of quality and not all there is to a whisky, but I have to say I find this 84 mark be closer to the truth (of the bottle I have, anyway). Pretty good stuff, but could be even better.
This was my favorite whisky a few years ago. I am not sure it still is..it's very peaty and I used to love that. I haven't had any in the last year and a half and have been drinking smokier whiskys. I'm going to have to try it again. Did not know that on the coloring.
I see many fans of Caol Ila at whisky events, but it has never been one of my favorites. Maybe I'm making the mistake of comparing it to other great Islay Malts, but this one seems a bit tame (vs. subtle) and uninteresting by comparison. Of course, my palate is unique, perhaps weird. I will look out for an independent... good advice Ralfy.
Bought one yesterday at Dan Murphy's in Sydney. More expensive than the Ardbeg 10 or Lagavulin 16. Not as readily available than the other two though, which is why I wanted to try it again.
I just bought a bottle of this and I would give this a solid 91 or 92 malt marks for me personally. Still love 'ya though Ralfy!
boy Ralfy that breaking down of casks into individual staves has a plethora of possibilities you know.along with reams of ramifications
From propping up older tired casks to the mixing of "different bourbon" soaked staves and EVERYTHING inbetween.
some variations may be useful during maturation whilst others can be sufficient shortcuts that may/maynot undercut quality.
I'm probably not incorrect if I suggest that this has most likely been going on thru the mist of time...when some industrious Cooper said "hey boss, what if we..."
Peace
Verified about the prices here in the US, sir. Everything has gone up 2-5 US$ since christmas! And the Islay big boys are up at least 5 and sometimes more. Thankfully, I know 1 place where I can still get my Laphroaig 10yo under $40 ...
Palate changes weekly if not hourly...
As well as annually...
It's great though.. It's like watching a film you watched drunk before and seeing it for the first time!... Again!
i love the charcoal flavor in Johnny Black and I'm trying to find something a bit more linear in flavor. Im thinking about trying Caol Ila but was wondering if you could recommend something with a more defined charcoal flavor than JWB. I really enjoy your reviews but there is so many to search through I was hoping to expedite the process by asking for a suggestion. Thanks in advance for your response.
Bought a "Finlaggan" from Majestic and was told that was a Caol Ila bottling...
Very ashy and gone out bonfire with white pepper...
Also bought The BiG STRAND...
Almost sauvignon Blanc in colour and 46%...
They have very similar character but the Big Strand was Very Fruity and less ashy... They both had infernal finishes ...
Sound right to you lot?
Dear Ralfy.
Firstly, Big fan! Your videos have been extremely helpful in my own whisky appreciation and developing tastes.
I have a question.
I have started running my own whisky nights with friends where, as an amateur host, we are trying a wide range of readily available and affordable whiskies. First session we did Glenmorangie 10, Highland park 12, and Laphroaig 10 (v. introductory). The next session we are going for an Aberlour Abunad'h and will be following up with Caol Ila 12 (and maybe a third, yet decided).
My question is... if doing a tasting with a Islay whisky, should one open the bottle in advance to let the peat elements die down? The Laphroaig blew most people away and, personally, I prefer it after the bottle has been open for a few sessions. However, I dont want to "tamper" with the experience. Any advice?
Again thanks for all your work!
Ben
A fine reaview!
18th! Good job Ralfy. Best to put a link to your site here. Some of us are lazy :)
Great as always!
I have been drinking Whiskey for about 10 years or so, and have found the Caol Ila 12 to a favorite for me. Can you recommend where I should go from here?
I'm surprised to hear this has colourant added, I always thought it was very light and couldn't possibly have any.
Same here. Where was this info from?
Any thoughts on if this will effect Johnnie Walker black label? Time for a re-review?
Interesting review,and good information as well.
Hi Ralfy.. I love your videos.. I find them very helpful.. recently I picked up a bottle of single malt manufactured by ASDA . not expecting anything great I was surprised with what I got.. First time wasn't so great because the smell was more like phenol , but when I had it second time it seemed quite good with peat , smoke . the aroma opened up after adding a few drops of water.. Can you pls do a review of this cheap single malt. it's called ISLAY single malt from ASDA. thx. Somnath.
. . . I will look out for this in Scotland when I next visit. I think it will be Caol Ila !
My first single malt. Oh my God, its delicious. Its smells and tastes like a smoky green olive. Love it!
Where should I go from here?
. . . Bunnahabhain 12yo
Bunnahabhain 12 yo . . . bought it, tried it and I was disapointed! Smelled and tasted like bourbon. It had quality in it no doubt but not the smoky, maritime, autumnal qualities that Caol Ila had. The smell from the empty bottle of Lady Autumn it was all that I had left. But as you said Ralfy.. give whisky time. So I was patient with it. I poured myself every night a dram with a half teaspoon of water and after a couple of days I accepted Lady Summer as it was. I really tried to find something in smell and I think I smelled something like a old lavender in there one time. I got accustomed with Buunna. It was pleasant in its own way, not like Caol Ila though. So I drank almost half of it sipping it while doing other things and this night just as I was drinking some unexpectedly the taste became chocolate, dark chocolate, the bitter, sweet and a little bit of salty with a strong aroma of dark chocolate and then I tasted again and it had some bits of fruits in it and maybe a bit of rum and the rest of the glass felt like I was drinking some kind of distilled exotic chocolate. Can whisky really contain such beauty behind the harsh alchool taste? I have to say Im hooked on single malts. Whats next on the journey Ralfy? Im on a budget so Ill buy one more Caol Ila 12 just so when I miss it Ill have some and I wont finish the bottle of Bunnahabhain. So what do you recommend next for my third bottle of single malt Ralfy?
I've tried caol Ila and Macallan !2 fine oak side by side with Vat 69 and they were vastly superior maccallan 12 fine oak and caol ila , side by side you feel isla
Don't worry about the Episode Numbers...
You never get any better..
I just watched 715 & you said it was 714...
Must be the Whisky....
I commend you bringing up the second point of palette's changing. I wonder if you would like to partake an experiment in this. What if you stored a small dram's worth from each review and set it aside to be re-examined 4 years later for a re-review?
interesting experiment !
fyi, unless they change this, if you ever are going through Changi International in Singapore, you can get a LITER bottle Duty Free for what ends up being about $51 USD. I am pretty OK with that for this whisky.
whilst I agree that the more you drink the more you become aware of an understanding of flavour, I think that appreciation of quality is more unchanging
I don't get people claiming PEARS...
I DO get that Pear Drop Sweety Solventy smell that one gets just before passing out in the shed whilst bonding random Epoxy Resins and Superglue...
Ralfy you have given me an idea on as to what to do with the two bottles of Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2016 I have pretty expensive stuff not happy with it.
So I'm thinking of adding a splash of Lagavulin 16 to the distillers edition.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
. . . go for it, 1 third 16 to two thirds DE
Thank you Ralfy!!!
Isn't there a slight contradiction here Ralfy? On one hand we all complain about Diageo's fixation with consistency. Just look at the colour of the Caol Ila 12/18/25 - they are all the exact same colour !!!! They shouldn’t be of course. Different ages and different casks produce different colours but also different flavours. You complain however that Caol 12 has changed since you tasted it last. Isn’t that a good thing? Obviously, with different casks and combinations of casks, seasons and peat quality, the whisky must change slightly. I don’t hear wine lovers complaining that their favourite Pinot Noir vintages 2013/14/15 taste different! On the contrary, they celebrate this.
The Caol Ila 12 with the all black box does taste different to the black and beige box version. Comparing side by side, the old bottling is slightly more briny, marmitey smoky meaty and sweet lemon. The newer bottling is more like butter and smoky mackerel, fresh lemon zesty, rice wine and apple malt vinegar. The newer bottling has a slightly more of a oily mouth fill perhaps? Different they are but which one is better? Difficult to decide. I think (my own opinion, nothing more), it deserves much more than 84 for sure.
I drink many different single malts (obviously not as many as you), some budget entry level, some in the 3 figure price tags and I have preferances. However, the one whisky I seem to return to time and time again and surprised each time at just how simply delicious and satisfying it is, is the Caol Ila! The 12, the 18 and the Natural Cask Strength. (I do not think much of the 25 and even less of their non-peated expressions). Just my thoughts Ralfy.
feel bad watched your review 94 and went on that for a purchase of a bottle, well just ordered it a couple days ago, maybe can still cancel my order. was in your beginners pack of whisky including Highland Park and Old Pulteney(sp?). Any suggestions/recommendations for a relative whisky noob instead of this one as it is chill filtered and colour added that is a peaty whisky? Bunahabbin, Bruichlaidh, LeDaig...???
Speaking of price hikes, to drop a few names for instance, Ardbeg10, HP12, Buchanan12, as well as the 375mls- of JWB, Glenlivet12 and many more almost in concert with each other (not nice) have collectively raised prices a noticeable 10%.
That's more than the increase % cost of living Ralfy!
Sure things go up but when it happens in union its just a little suspicious.
I'm guessing since they've been "consistent" they deserve a 10er!!
That's not how its supposed to work.
Peace
ralfy have you ever heard of a very peaty pure malt called Lombard Smoking Ember; a big whollop of peat hits your tongue; it might be caol ila mixed with something else re-bottled
Currently USD$43 at Ho Chi Minh Airport, if anyone is passing through. Very good value I thought, wish I had bought 2 bottles now.
very good one this one i really love this bottle
I'll be damned if I can find an independent bottling of anything in my area. Pisses me off. I'd have to look online and by the time I've paid for shipping, the cost starts getting out of my personal financial range. Ralfy can you recommend a couple good independent bottlings? Maybe I can ask the owner of my local liquor store if he can locate and order one for me.
Good bottlers are Signatory and Berry Bros:
Hey Ralfy,cheers for the reviews.
I was wondering if you, or anyone reading the comments could suggest a few whiskies for me.
So far I am loving : Talisker10, HP12, Laphroaig QC, Lagavullin16, Glendronach15 and Glenfarclas 105.
This one, ardbeg 10 are so far the ones I want to get next. Could you suggest others in similiar price range?
Thanks!
Glen Elgin 12yo
+ralfystuff Ralfy, in whisky review #277, you recommended three whiskies for beginners including Old Pultney 12 yo, Highland Parj 12 yo. and Caol Ila 12 yo. Given the lower rating you now give Caol Ila, would you still recommend it to beginners as a first peated whisky?
. . . yes, although Ledaig 12yo is now a good option.
A shame to see a slide in quality in a malt that I would have suggested to a new whisky drinker as an introduction to Islay. Caol Isla should be taking note of the direction that their neighbours at Bunnahabhain are going with their craft presentation over the last few years.
Ralfy, I want to try Coal Ila but torn between the standard 12 bottling or a 12-13 (2003 - 2016 @46%) yo G&M CC bottling. Which would you go for? I'm feeling the latter but can't find any reviews to help make up my mind. Thanks :)
Rian Creamer legend has it that ralfy will only reply at half 3 in the morning following a blood moon.
+Blue Bird Ha ha :) To be fair I asked the same question on a more recent vlog and he did reply! Didn't notice the moon though . . .
Ralfy, why does it matter if the cask is re-assembled? If they dont mix up the casks, would there still be a problem? Does the travel influence the cask more or something?
staves used are not the same as in original cask, and some maturation influence is lost.
A malty thank you for the answer and for sharing all your expierience. I'll drink for your health and happyness today.
***** Really, I would have thought when a distillery buys a group of used barrels from an american distillery they would all be of one age and one area in a warehouse, making differences minimal. I can understand if you mix some well aged bourbon barrels with minimum aged barrels, but but I would think the bourbon distillers would be able to sell well aged barrels at a premium and would sell them in one lot.
Just wanna say: I love the Cyberman! ;-)
Ralfy, your facial expressions and side-quips say more about this than your whole review! But your last point: why bother buying the 12 at all? Just get the indie bottle G&M instead!
Your marks usually range from 82 - 86.
Would it be cynical to think that lagavulin gets the pick of the casks and caol ila gets lagavulin's hand me downs?
Ralf I know you would never say but do you think they're more likely to under-age whisky now (and maybe blend a really young whisky with a bit of older) , as demand is so high?
yes, though age statements will be accurate.
*****
Ralf, this is addressed to the whisky distilllers rather than you, but how, as a customer can we be assured that age statements can be trusted? Surely a canny distiller wanting to make money in a boom period will hypothetically look for ways to blur an age statement, or am I just an old cynic?
chrish12345 a topic for conversation.
commercial prerogative suggests this is the case !
chrish12345 Well of course it's theoretically possible... But any distillery that wants to keep its licence would never be so deliberately stupid. I'm sure it does happen that sometimes, a bottling may have some younger whisky than the age statement by mistake but any deliberate, systematic attempt to con the buyers would be rumbled pretty quickly and the distillery consigned to history... So yep, I think you're probably being a little cynical.
Hi Ralfy! You said that the Caol Ila better than Talisker 10. Why do you put Caol Ila mark lower?
and what is better Caol Ila 12 or bunnahabhain 12?
not better, different. Caol Ila tends to be more 'reliable' than Talisker for continuity of quality.
another helpful review sir im about to start my trip into islay whisky in my next purchase i have had a bunnahabain 12 found noting special about it hopefully this wont be the case with the rest but dunno where to start ardbeg caol isla any ideas people
Islay whisky is all about the peat in my opinion. Ardbeg, laphroaig, lagavulin are all heavy peated islay whiskies. give them a try :)
Ralfy, hey!
1 of th great 1's maltmate!
...viva la mssnger!
Tht litl expmnt sez it all. jus hope we can now collectvly affect th necessry chnges tht can only make a gud wisky great agen!
w/th ryt investmnts theyr bound4 bigr profits! can't they c that??!
L8r Ralfy
I've hit the translate button, but really, nothing came out.
If you do not like the peaty smokiness of these whiskey's then by all means, AVOID THIS!!! Just like Laphroaig, it is only for those who enjoy the taste of burnt wood smoke. If you do not like that (like me) then avoid this one altogether. Honestly, it is HUGELY peaty/smoky so if that's not for you then steer clear of this one.
I was drinking caol ila 12yo while watching this and I'm afraid I don't get any of these tastes that you do. I just got peat and fruity :(
Will you review the new Spice Tree?
no plans for the moment, but possibly a good idea !
Ralfy, is there any peat flavor in whisky from using water in the mash that has passed through a peat bog? By this I mean, not using burning peat to dry the barley, but only using a water source from a peat rich area.
Of course. It's probably not as strong as burning peat but it makes sense that peaty water will transfer some phenols into the whisky. In fact a Speyside distillery experimented with peaty water a long time ago.
I reckon phenols occur when peat is burnt and making smoke, not in brackish water.
*****
What about when the peated water evaporates in the still? I wonder what those experiments at Glen Keith turned up?
*****
I decided to look it up and Glen Keith actually peated the water with peat smoke. So in reality water that passed through the peat wasn't used.
I disagree with your mark the mark of this whisky. Caol Ila 12 is great and one my favorites. I like to look at it a more toned down Laphroaig. Very peaty/smokey but to me is less harsh then Laphroaig. I can drink Caol Ila 12 with no water and can pick up all the flavor. A very enjoyable peated scotch to say the least...
best of the Islay whisky for me not as peaty
Ralfy if u wer alowd quality control ovr a distillery & askd, wud u b a spokesmn 4 that distilr??
L8r
no, I'm busy, so they should just do what Springbank do, easy !
How do you know whether the bottle is "officially" bottled or bottled by "independent" bottlers? How to tell?
who owns the Distillery is official bottler.
***** Thanks for your answer! I assume it says otherwise if it's independently bottled then :)
pdmmdk Yes to will. Look at something bottled by Signatory. It will look very different and have both Signatory and the distillery on it.
Bryan Usrey I don't live in Scotland, so I doubt I have ever seen a bottle from an independent bottler before. Otherwise I'll pay better attention next time! Thanks for clarifying though! :)
i came to hear how you pronounce Caol Isla and had to wait 1:23 seconds to hear it.
19dec1981 Same.
GRAPPA!
It just came to me..
Anyone ever drunk Grappa?
not near as good as Lagavulin 16....nowhere close to be honest so although it is a good whisky comparable with laphroig and ardbeg 10 (infact this is cheaper then both of those) but pay the extra 20-30 dollars and get Lagavulin 16.Lagavulin doesn't have that medicine/iodine taste like ardbeg/laph/coal
+TheJusnic82 You do realise some people actually like the iodine taste. It's not better it's different.
Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 are both at least $15 cheaper than Caol Ila 12.
+outsiderdf . . . that's the reverse of what it used to be !
Ardbeg 10 is more expensive than Caol Ila in Germany...
they are at about the same price (+ - 2euros)in Greece. (aprox 35euros for 70cl bottle of Caol Ila).
Same in Australia. Each are about $85 but Caol Ila is c. $100 (although just near my work there's a little shop called Costco where Laphroaig 10 is $75/bottle full retail).
Same here...Ardbeg 10 & Laphroaig 10 are around $40US, Caol Ila 12 is closer to $60.
the bottle looks exactly like the one lagavulin uses. have you considered a "bottle review"? :-)
That's a good idea there are some very interesting bottles out there.... A friend of mine really loves the Balvenie bottles
Both Caol Isla and Lagavulin are owned by Diageo so there must be some cost savings going on there. Also Diageo's Talisker, Cargganmore and Royal Lochnagar appear to have similar bottles; and of course Diageo also produce the three Singleton malts in the same style bottles. You can see their range and compare the bottles at this link: www.diageo.com/en-row/ourbrands/categories/spirits/pages/whiskey.aspx. Let's not forget that its what's inside the bottle that counts, but I do think that a good book with a good cover can be an even better read.
the lagavulin bottle just looks "right" to me. it's the content that matters ofc ;-)
How can anyone review this whisky and not mention the overwhelming aroma of iodine and/or band aids? It is heavily medicinal on the nose... not just vegetal peat.
first? :)
verified !
grats
Caol Ila 12 year and Talisker 10 year are the only two I drink. They both have there own unique taste yet both taste very similar to me. It's just the flavor I like. We all have different taste. I would have given this an 89 and Ardbeg 10 year an 84.