Great video. I appreciate the Caol Ila nose at times, and I have had some incredible independent bottles. However, Ardbeg 10 vs Caol Ila 12? Ardbeg for me every day. Cheers!
Thanks. I'm going to attribute the water on that side of Islay as the cause for the similarity to Bunnahabhain. I just can't shake that connection on the nose and taste. But I have Scottish friends who would fight me over my Ardbeg preference. Taste is personal. Cheers!
.... and i'm one of those who was surprised that Caol Ila got no mention. This is a bottle that I use to introduce Islay " virgins" to, that don't like the odure that fills the room every time I pull the cork on an Ardbeg bottle. Thanks for this supplement to that previous video, and congrats for the success your channel is having..., a result of your very competent and understandable way of conveying your thoughts and knowledege to the people. Greets from Switzerland, Steve.
I noticed that when I crack a bottle open for the first time, the whisky be it a single malt, bourbon etc. never shows full potential at the opening. Coming back the next day, the whisky will dramatically open up more both on the nose and palate. Given that, I personal would have to give it a second and third review to be fair, and more accurate in my opinion. Btw, over thirty years experience in the biz and had most them many times. Again just trying to be fair and educational Dave
Hi Dave, I completely agree. I never judge a whisky fully on the first drink. Environment and mood play into the nose and palette of a dram. I haven't found that neck pours affect the taste, but I do know that I need to let the whisky breathe for a few minutes before tasting, which is why I do that earlier in the process now. I edit my videos down, but there's usually a 10-15 minute delay from pour to nosing. Thanks and cheers!
Nice review and comparison. For me too, Caol Ila 12 is a nice Islay standard, but can’t hold against Ardbeg 10, Laga16 or Port Charlotte 10. What i especially like about the Caol Ila is his oiliness, this stands out for me.
Thanks. Good note, the oiliness is what allowed the added water to bring it to life. I didn't think about it that way, but you're correct. The more whiskies I taste, the more I understand why I like certain expressions over others. It's rarely about "good" or "bad" but simply a preference. Cheers!
Excellent comment about rarely being about “good” or “bad” but more about preference. Unlike the original commenter, over the last year I’ve loved Coal Ila slightly more than Lagavulin 16 and much, much more than Port Charlotte 10. For my palate lately, the Coal Ila is right on par with Ardbeg 10. The outlier is Laphroiag 10 because of the complete lack of sharper, more peppery notes whereas Coal Ila approaches with a rising ginger bite alongside the malt, a combination that I love!
Once on christmas time we had a Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg TEN and Caol Ila 12. I like the Caol Ila as I like the most of Islay Whiskies (I think i tried most of them) but I also rather would go for the Ardbeg TEN before Caol Ila 12.
I agree that the Caol Ila 12 has a smoother smoke taste than the Ardbeg 10. It's just a personal palette preference that causing me to like Ardbeg more. Cheers!
great video and channel. just discovered it. also, ironically, i JUST bought my first bottle of Caol Ila 10 a few weeks ago. Im a huge fan of Islay's...really the only scotch i drink...and for some reason the Caol was off my radar until recently. ill spend a bit more time with it before i try to compare or rank but my initial impressions are positive and its a good sipper alongside laphroaig and ardbeg
Thank you for the compliments! The flavor profiles of the various peated Scotch whiskies are subtle and unique. The beautiful thing is that we can all find the tastes that appeal to us most. There are not right or wrong answers in whisky tasting. Cheers!
I was just as wrong about Caol ila 12 on the first dram, and thinking I would give that 200ml sample bottle away. I don't want to go into the details of nose, pallet, finish and all that, but a couple months later when I decided to have another final taste with a friend whom I was going to give it to. I wasn't sure if it that initial taste grew on me or its complexity has transformed the over the course of two months after opened. Well, in short, I've changed my mind instantly since that second dram. Now, it's a must have in my liquor cabinet; after five 750ml bottle from TW, and painfully watching the price crept up from 60 to $80 a bottle!
Well said, Adolf! I always try to give a whisky a second, third, or even a fourth tasting before I give up on it. My preferences change over time and during a first taste of a whisky any number of factors could be influencing my opinion. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
@@none0such Hi Richard. The "neck pour" being a different taste is an interesting debate. So much so, that my wife and I asked 6 of the 8 distilleries about it during our recent tour (ua-cam.com/video/0vgmmLMHXV0/v-deo.html) - we would have asked at all 8, but the comment that inspired it appeared after our first 2 tours. Out of the 6 we asked about neck pour, 4 of them looked at us like we were from outer space, 1 said that oxygen in the bottle will change the whisky, but it's typically after 3/4 of the bottle is empty, and 1 said that he thought it mattered. The only thing I've noticed when first opening a bottle is that I tend to spill a drop or two more often with the neck pour. ;) Cheers!
It was recommended to me years ago. It is a component to Johnnie Walker Green Label, which I don’t grasp why it was pulled. It was my favorite Johnnie Walker.
I wonder if Diageo wasn't getting the volume sales on the Green Label, it's hard to say why expressions go away. Maybe even a whisky that was a component is no longer available. Big corporations don't always make sense.
Hi Kevin. That’s a tough call, but having tried both of these Islay classics, I would definitely go with Ardbeg 10!! Even when I was sold on Caol Ila for few years. The nose on Ardbeg is punchier due to its higher ABV but also that Caol Ila is little harsh. As you swirl it in the mouth, the real difference comes to the fore, Ardbeg has that flavour combining camp fire, smoked meat and sea breeze. Caol Ila is more rubber and burnt twigs. Both excellent whiskies, but I am a fan of Ardbeg 10 now. Am waiting to get my hands in the Ardbeg Uigidail and Corryvreckan. BTW, if you can land yourself the Paul John Classic or Bold from Goa, India, you would be pleasantly surprised. They are amazing and winning awards. Thanks for your videos. Merry Christmas and Happy new year. Cheers from India 🥂🥂
I love Imperial stouts, but a steady diet of them can give me palate fatigue and not only will impy stouts taste blander, and I also lose any appreciation for more delicate beers like saisons or Hefeweizens. In a similar vein, with a steady diet of nothing but heavily peated whiskies like Ardbeg, Laphroaig, etc, I can suffer from peat fatigue, and after a while, I can’t taste the peat. That’s when I need to take a break from the heavily peated stuff. Speysiders or Irish pot stills can reset my palate and I’ll get the oomph that I was missing from the heavily peated whiskies once again. To eliminate the need to deal with peat overload, I add some more moderately peated whiskies like Talisker, Springbank, anCnoc, and Caol Ila into my regular rotation, and the issue can be avoided. As it always rings true…enjoy all good things in moderation.
I completely agree about the need for variety. Every so often, I spend time with Highland Scotch or Irish whiskey to reset my palette. If you like Talisker 10, I have an episode coming Friday about it. Cheers!
Caol Ila 12 did really well on my Islay blind. But I find it more good than great. Ardbeg 10 is way better. Now the Old Particular Caol Ila 8 Cask Strength IB I got is fantastic. It's amazing how much difference there can be with cask strength.
I still have a bottle of it, but it was a travel exclusive only. I happened to be traveling back from Sydney and grabbed one from that airport's duty free shop. It may be have been a one-time distillation.
I remember about twenty years ago the Observer food and drink writer identified Caol Ila as the best malt in the world . Now I don’t know about that but I’ve liked it ever since .
Caol Ila 12 for me. This was the first malt that I fell in love with. For me Ardbeg is a little soft and Laphroaig is a bit harsh without adding some water.I was really enjoying Port Charlotte as a budget Caol Ila but this last bottle just didn’t sit right with me. Back to the real thing next time I’m at Total Wine. Would prefer if I can find a sample bottled by Singnatory. BTW - was at a bar that only had Lagavulin for an Islay malt and a friend of mine asked for a taste and described it as tasting just like the smell of burning rubber.
Ardbeg 10 although caol ila 7y and the 8y cask strength are really good imo. I tasted a bunch off Islay's yesterday with my local whisky shop (only 12km from me) and I didn't know it till 2 days ago, it has an award off best whisky shop off Belgium (in 2015) a small shop but with 3000 bottles, and around 900-1000 open bottles for tasting. And the guy that owns it is such a chill dude. I talked an hour and a half with him about whisky. He has a lot off Islay whisky's (it are his favourite as well) and he doesn't like the coal ila 12y that much although he said it sells very well. I also bought a cask strength batch 14 Laphroaig there as I'm still waiting for it from the online shop.. And offcourse I bought an ardbeg 10 too.
That sounds like a great whisky shop, I'm a little jealous. Unfortunately, it's hard to find any other Caol Ila expressions in San Francisco besides the 12 year. It's not one of my favorites either. Cheers!
I'm looking forward to trying other expressions from Caol Ila the next time I'm in the UK. I think the US gets the lesser expression from that distillery. Cheers!
You’re completely correct and I didn’t catch that I said that. I meant the details of the maturation in general are lacking. The malts.com site annoys me so much, I get flustered. 🙃
I did not like Ardbeg the first time I had it many years ago, but today I would love to try the Ardbeg Uigeadail. The color looks amazing. Caol Ila on the other hand I did like, and I would like to by a bottle of that again. Keep up with the good riffs!
I love any Ardbeg, but the 10 to me doesn’t have a deep enough flavor. All smoke. Caol Ila is richer and more complex. It’s is one of my standard go-to’s
Oh for sure! I love ardbeg too. An Oa was a pleasant surprise for the price. Also can’t beat the other Ardbegs. I just picked up a bottle of their Scorch. If you love smoke, it’s a must! Cheers!
For a while I had two bottles of An Oa and it was my nightly dram. I think I prefer the Corryvreckan, and the Wee Beastie is nice also. I haven't acquired a bottle of Scorch yet. The Traigh Bhan probably ate up the budget for it anyway. ;) Cheers!
So many to choose from! I love both the Caol Ila and the Ardbeg - with a slight preference for the Ardbeg (and cheaper too). I'd would happily have either Scotch any time, any where. Thanks for the great videos!
Wait what damn prices really are weird. Here for caol ila 12 it's like 46 euro avg and ardbeg 10 is like 50 euro avg price. It's really weird that in prices are so much different in other countries/states...
I have tried Machir Bay in this video: ua-cam.com/video/hsP58ltN-Do/v-deo.html. But I was much happier with the Loch Gorm: ua-cam.com/video/BsRoxrN3ztc/v-deo.html. Cheers!
I love Laphroig Quarter Cask and Lore on top then the Port Charlotte. I'd take Caol Ila over Ardbeg (haven't had the 10 yet but I've had 4 or 5 other ones). Ardbeg is a good whiskey I have a few bottles and wouldn't turn it down. but in the end it's all personal preference and I'd go for any of them
Hi, Chris! I just recommended the Quarter Cask and Lore to a commenter here. They are both great expressions. You hit the nail on the head with "it's all personal preference". Drink the whisky you like the way you like it! There are no rules or absolutes. Cheers!
I wish you compared it to lagavulin 16 I think their flavor profiles match a lot more than with the ardbeg ten. They do apparently have a lot in common. Or maybe it's just the bottle?
Hi James, both the Lagavulin and Caol Ila brands are part of Diageo, but the distilleries are still unique. The Ardbeg 10 is closer in price to the Caol Ila 12. Also, Diageo often lowers the ABV for their expressions with both of these at 43%. The Ardbeg 10 is at 46%. Cheers!
Thanks for commenting, David. I'm in Scotland right now and it's nice to see more expressions of Caol Ila on the shelves. I could only find the 12 year in San Francisco. Cheers!
This isn't a technique, but I think remembering that a whiskey can change/open up after it has been opened for a while might be good to keep in mind, I am interested if after a while your opinion changes from these first time reactions. There has been a few whiskeys that I didn't like with the first couple of drinks, but after leaving it for a while and coming back I find that it is really good.
You're absolutely right, John. This is one reason why I've started pouring the whisky early in the recording and letting it breath before starting the tasting. I also am a firm believer that environment affects taste, so I try to test a whisky again at a different time of day and look at what I've eaten close to a tasting time. Excellent shout, cheers!
I've found the Caol Ila to be the most inconsistent Islay whisky that I've tried. Over four bottles of the 12 year two of them were great and two I felt just tasted a bit too much like smoke and ash. That's over about the last 10 years
That's interesting, Robert. I've wondered the same thing about some other expressions that I've enjoyed in the past but haven't recently. Did they change or did I? It's a tough question for me to answer.
@@WhiskyRiffs I'll admit 4 experiences over 10 years isn't exactly scientific but it's the perception I've had and to be honest it has made me shy away from buying more. I don't want to put anyone else off though, best to try it and make up your own mind.
I tasted some a few weeks ago, and failed to note how long the bottle had been open, nor how low it had gone.. all I could taste was rather insipid smoke.. just smoke.. like some tasteless meat product given the artificial smoke flavour treatment.. Makes me wonder whether the bottle had been open too long (it was at The Whisky Shop - a UK specialist chain) and the peat had faded.
Thanks for sharing. Now that I'm in different countries all the time, I'm seeing more Caol Ila options than the 12 year… and maybe I'll like those even more. Cheers!
Caol Ila is number 1 for me. It’s clear and crisp in the taste that it is trying to achieve. Ardbeg comes in at 5. Tries to do too much, over complex in a way, much like a student who uses too many long words in an essay to make them sound cleverer than they are. But as you l always say, it’s what you like that matters 👍
I have not tried Proper 12. I think I had it in my online shopping cart a couple of times and then decided to go a different direction. Have you tried it? What do you think?
Kevin, not related to this video, but you've mentioned Flaviar before. Do you feel the membership is worth it? Any other on line sources you use for your whisk(e)y? Thanks.
I do love Flaviar for their detailed whisky information and the hard to find bottles that I occasionally buy from their vault - like the Traigh Bhan 19. But the real selling point for me is there Whisky Advent Calendar. It's the best one I've ever had because the bottles are bigger (50ml vs 30ml), each comes with tasting notes on cards, and there are always whiskies that I've never had before. Too many of these calendars include common spirits. So, yes, Flaviar is worth it for me. If you decide it works for you too, my link will get you some free whisky: fbuy.me/v/kevin_14516. I like Craft Whisky Club, but it doesn't allow me to pick bottles. I also use Reserve Bar for hard to find expressions, and my local shops: Total Wine, K&L Wine, and (rarely) BevMo. Thanks for asking and let me know if I can answer any more questions.
I'm not a big fan of Coal Ila 12 myself but I do love Ardbeg 10. Could you perhaps recommend other whiskies with the same taste profile as Ardbeg 10? :) I think that I'm more partial to ex bourbon matured whiskies and not so much the sherry cask ones. :)
If you like Ardbeg 10, I'd suggest the Corryvreckan and the Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10. You also might enjoy the Kilchoman line of Scotch - that distillery is designed for fans of Islay spirits. Let me know if you find other expressions that you like.
It's my daily go to whisky so I'm a bigger fan of the Caol Ila 12 yr than I am of the Ardbegs and Lagavulin with one exception, the Ardbeg 5 yr Wee Beastie. I like the campfire I get from Caol Ila and I also like the burn without losing some of the smoothness. The Laphroig's are good as well, but they don't have the smoke I like. Good video though.
Thanks, Michael! The campfire note is what I like about most of the Ardbeg expressions. I didn't get the same note from the Caol Ila 12, but then again the Ardbeg 10 is 46% ABV vs the Caol Ila 12 at 43%. Maybe I'm just missing some of the intensity. Cheers!
Hi There great review, Your so right I just tried the Jonnie walker island green and it has 30% caol li la yes it's spicy yes it's acidic to that 43% I added water thrice to get out the flavors to loving it. Although Ardbeg 10 is GOAT of my love for whiskey above all 😝. In comparison it's more of white ash, coal dust mixed with fresh mud, earthenware, vomiting like pungent sulphuric acid, rotting yeast yogurt fresh bread soaked in water 😝😝😝, organic chemical 🥺, lemon squeezed on piping hot barbeque meat surprising at the same time sweet. Not that spicy but tingling salty fire like cramps on tip of tongue same type of spicy but not really spicy when we get a part of our tounge burnt while trying super hot food and loose sensation in that particular area 😂😂😂 in contrast to caol li la type really spicy 🔥🥵 like hot pepper. Again depends also on the age of caol li la they have used in JW island green I may love the original caol li la but chill filtering and price keeps me away from buying it I would rather have a gift one fine day 😂 to make it a judgement day.
I've had Caol Ila once, it did not make an impression on me at all, and I LOVE the Islays. I could be mistaken, but I believe it is the main whisky that goes into blended Chivas Regal. Chivas would be my go to in blended scotch if I were in withdrawal and about to seize and a single malt was not available. It was my father's favorite, until he had the misfortune of my having introducing him to single malts.
Hi, David! This 12 year only expression is a bit odd, but if selling to blenders is working for Caol Ila, I can't fault them. You introduced your dad to single malts as a misfortune? There are worse things a kid can do to a parent. 😂
Once opened give the Caol Ila a week to open up, you might change your mind. Same as you upon opening the bottle, the rubbery note was disturbing but after a week it toned down a bit and the whisky became so well balanced that it is now definitely in my top 5 Islays. While on the subject, I've just opened last night a bottle of Ardbeg 10 (first time trying it) and I love everything about it (nose, peat, complexity) except that it feels to me somewhat thin, like slightly watered down, not enough punch or concentration to the palate/mouth-fill. Do I have a case here or am I only imagining this? would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for the review. subbed.
Hi Kushi, I do think the Caol Ila 12 was better on a second taste, but it's still not up there on my list. Now if I was in Europe/UK and could try the other expressions, I might change my mind. If you like the Ardbeg 10, but want more of a punch, try the Ardbeg Corryvreckan. It's better in every way. Or you can try their Wee Beastie, which at only 5 years old gives more punch to the peat as well. Cheers and thanks for subscribing!
@@WhiskyRiffs Appreciate the reply. After posting I realised I was commenting on a 9 month old thread... I'm sure you've tried and re-tried the Caol Ila to form an opinion. Thanks for the Ardbeg recommendations, I'll sure looks into those, being a peat-head and all ;-) Just poured a second dram of Ardbeg 10, what a great nose! let's see if day 2 brings something else taste wise. Cheers!
WHISKY RIFFS,Hello, I once had a taste of CAOL ILA @ a ‘WHISKY LIVE ‘ SHOW many years ago when they were WELL attended, but they have now destroyed its attendance, by changing the show place,MUCH SMALLER location then COVID CANCELLED THEM, SOI see you seem to also love ILAY, WHISKIES, STAY WELL GOD BLESS,🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@WhiskyRiffs hello,I just checked WHISKY LIVE. THEY ARE GOING BACK TO PIER60 it says EARLY MARCH, I GUESS THEY WILL SEND ME AN EMAIL, I WONT MISS THIS ONE. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Caol Ila is woefully under-represented in the USA compared to Ardbeg. luckily CI is IB rich and many cask strength variants are available. Currently my favorites are young & sherry casked. BBQ in a bottle!
I've noticed more of the Caol Ila expressions after my wife and I started traveling full time (@findingGinaMarie). I'll have to try the BBQ in a bottle one you've mentioned. Cheers!
Great review, but gotta practice those bends! Or maybe it's just a jazz scale I don't understand. If you have a digital tuner, clamp that sucker on there and bend to pitch until it's clear as day that you're on the right note. From there, you can tie it in with vibrato in whatever tempo you're playing in. But I'm just a nobody on the internet, thanks for sharing.
Hah! Thanks, Dan. My guitar riffs are often one-shot attempts to record at the last minute. I certainly can always use more practice. Hopefully the whisky reviews are more in tune. 😉 Cheers!
I agree that Ardbeg is superior. I always found Caol Ila too oily. And remember Diageo redirects most of Caol Ila production for John Walker. Caol Ila is not a premiere brand for them
Hi, Scott! You're absolutely correct. My wife asked me yesterday why there aren't other expressions than the 12 and I mentioned that Caol Ila is mostly used in JW expressions. Cheers!
Thanks for that note, Darren. It's hard for Islay distilleries to malt enough barley on the island, so most of that is done on the mainland too. Cheers!
Hi Paul. Interesting that you'd put Caol Ila above Bunnahabhain. I think the latter has a wide variety of expressions with very different nuances. Unfortunately, the only Caol Ila expression I can find in the US is the 12. The rest seem to be UK or European distribution only. Cheers!
Caol Ila is a great pour. To me it's more comparable to Lagavulin (especially the 8 year old) than any other whiskey. It sits between Bunnahabhain and Lagavulin in terms of taste and has its own smoke/peat flavor profile which is distinct from Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Bruichladdich.
I would say Caol Ila flavour profile is like Lagavulin's 8 without the sweetness. I am a big Ardbeg fan and Laphroig and Caol Ila would be the least favourite whiskeys out of Islay.
Hi again. Yes, you are an "islay southener" indeed. From all the Islays, Caol Ila is the closest to "mass production". Most of the "no distillery mentioned" Islays, like Finlaggan, Ileach, Smokehead etc. have the Caol Ila source. When you"ve been to Islay, by any chance, did you go with Rabbie's ? Keep up your fine videos and the MUSIC !
Yes, we did use Rabbie's in 2018 as our guide for our four-day Islay tour. And we used them again just a month ago for our Speyside tour: ua-cam.com/video/0vgmmLMHXV0/v-deo.html. Thanks for your kind words and information. Cheers!
Thanks for your reply. I just watched the Speyside Tour video...great. Did you also cover the Islay tour with a video ? I visited Islay again in 2019, also with Rabbie's and we covered ALL distilleries, including Ardnahoe which just opened a month before.
@@michaelzimmermann2354 Thanks. We took our Islay tour 18 months before I started Whisky Riffs, so there was no thought to document it for a video. Rabbies took us to Oban and six of the eight Islay distilleries open at the time: Bowmore, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig. It would have been nice to have visited all of them, but we had a full bus and a packed schedule.
Caol Ila 12 is just thin, simple & has a short finish, definitely doesn’t sit anywhere near any of the Islay or Campbelltown whiskies. The older Caol Ila expressions though are phenomenal, especially the 30 & 35 year old.
Thanks for that sharing, Clinton. I can believe that the older Caol Ila expressions are much better. I have the same feeling about Bunnahabhain and would start my recommendations with their 18 year. Now to explore how much damage the more aged Caol Ila bottles are going inflict on my whisky budget. ;) Cheers!
I'm having trouble finding the older Caol Ila expressions. I did see these two locally: 1996 Caol Ila 21 Year Old "Kingsbury" Single Hogshead Cask No. 791 Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) at $375 USD, and 1991 Caol Ila 30 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) at $380. What are your thoughts? Is the 30 yr worth almost $400?
As a peat-head I'd say none of these qualify as anything significant. But somehow Caol Ila has this unique profile that speaks to me, while Ardbeg 10 is stuck with just being a beginner's introduction to peated whiskeys.
That's the key, right? If a whisky speaks to you, it's the best whisky on the market. It doesn't matter what reviewers or "experts" say. Drink what you enjoy. Cheers!
@@upinair4990 I was blown away by Ardbeg 10 when I first tried it. For me it was that distinct harsh spice. That was before I got into peat game. But then I went all in on Octomore and now Ardbeg 10 for me personally just feels too plain and watery. It's still a decent whiskey for what it is, but I'd pick any Ardbeg at cask strength over it for a better experience.
@@upinair4990 Menthol in Ardbeg 10? Interesting. It's not a note that I've found yet. I just recorded an episode about a Suntory single malt and did taste mint on that expression. It's not my favorite note.
No harm is trying to coax more flavors out of a dram. Especially when their own website recommends it: "To enjoy, simply serve the 12-Year-Old Caol Ila neat in a rocks glass, adding ice or a splash of water to taste." Cheers!
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Great video. I appreciate the Caol Ila nose at times, and I have had some incredible independent bottles. However, Ardbeg 10 vs Caol Ila 12? Ardbeg for me every day. Cheers!
Thanks. I'm going to attribute the water on that side of Islay as the cause for the similarity to Bunnahabhain. I just can't shake that connection on the nose and taste. But I have Scottish friends who would fight me over my Ardbeg preference. Taste is personal. Cheers!
.... and i'm one of those who was surprised that Caol Ila got no mention. This is a bottle that I use to introduce Islay " virgins" to, that don't like the odure that fills the room every time I pull the cork on an Ardbeg bottle.
Thanks for this supplement to that previous video, and congrats for the success your channel is having..., a result of your very competent and understandable way of conveying your thoughts and knowledege to the people. Greets from Switzerland, Steve.
Thank you, Steve! I can definitely see Caol Ila as an introduction to Islay. It definitely is less intense than some of the others on my list. Cheers!
I noticed that when I crack a bottle open for the first time, the whisky be it a single malt, bourbon etc. never shows full potential at the opening. Coming back the next day, the whisky will dramatically open up more both on the nose and palate. Given that, I personal would have to give it a second and third review to be fair, and more accurate in my opinion. Btw, over thirty years experience in the biz and had most them many times. Again just trying to be fair and educational
Dave
Hi Dave, I completely agree. I never judge a whisky fully on the first drink. Environment and mood play into the nose and palette of a dram.
I haven't found that neck pours affect the taste, but I do know that I need to let the whisky breathe for a few minutes before tasting, which is why I do that earlier in the process now. I edit my videos down, but there's usually a 10-15 minute delay from pour to nosing. Thanks and cheers!
Indeed, much better next day should there be any left in the bottle!
Love the Caol Ila, think it's a great introduction to smokey single malts. Love the video
Thanks, Jay! I'm glad people asked for Caol Ila 12 in the comments. Cheers!
For me all day and everyday I would choose Lagavulin 16. Thanks again for all your great videos.
Thanks so much, Ryan! Cheers!
Not even close for what it was.
Nice review and comparison. For me too, Caol Ila 12 is a nice Islay standard, but can’t hold against Ardbeg 10, Laga16 or Port Charlotte 10. What i especially like about the Caol Ila is his oiliness, this stands out for me.
Thanks. Good note, the oiliness is what allowed the added water to bring it to life. I didn't think about it that way, but you're correct. The more whiskies I taste, the more I understand why I like certain expressions over others. It's rarely about "good" or "bad" but simply a preference. Cheers!
Excellent comment about rarely being about “good” or “bad” but more about preference. Unlike the original commenter, over the last year I’ve loved Coal Ila slightly more than Lagavulin 16 and much, much more than Port Charlotte 10. For my palate lately, the Coal Ila is right on par with Ardbeg 10. The outlier is Laphroiag 10 because of the complete lack of sharper, more peppery notes whereas Coal Ila approaches with a rising ginger bite alongside the malt, a combination that I love!
Not a good comparison.
Port Charlotte 10,and especially Lagavulin 16 are much more expensive.
You don't compare 40000€ car with 70000€ car.
Once on christmas time we had a Laphroaig 10, Ardbeg TEN and Caol Ila 12. I like the Caol Ila as I like the most of Islay Whiskies (I think i tried most of them) but I also rather would go for the Ardbeg TEN before Caol Ila 12.
That sounds like an excellent Christmas. ;) Cheers!
So glad to have stumbled on to this channel as I delve into the world of scotch, fantastic!
Hi Jason! Thanks for finding my channel and for watching. Let me know if you want any reviews that I haven't done already. Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs Will do!
It’s a very good channel
@@jeffreysparbeck7725 Thank you so much, Jeffrey.
Love your honesty and sincerity. Great video.
That's very kind of you to say, David! Cheers!
I don’t know why Caol Ila reminds of tequila, and my younger hangover days. Thanks for the review!
I honestly don't drink enough tequila to even have those notes. My college years were full of cheap vodka drinks. Cheers!
Caol Ila I started drinking it as a comparison/alternative to speyside malts as I personally find it smooth and easy on the palate.
I agree that the Caol Ila 12 has a smoother smoke taste than the Ardbeg 10. It's just a personal palette preference that causing me to like Ardbeg more. Cheers!
great video and channel. just discovered it. also, ironically, i JUST bought my first bottle of Caol Ila 10 a few weeks ago. Im a huge fan of Islay's...really the only scotch i drink...and for some reason the Caol was off my radar until recently. ill spend a bit more time with it before i try to compare or rank but my initial impressions are positive and its a good sipper alongside laphroaig and ardbeg
Thank you for the compliments! The flavor profiles of the various peated Scotch whiskies are subtle and unique. The beautiful thing is that we can all find the tastes that appeal to us most. There are not right or wrong answers in whisky tasting. Cheers!
I was just as wrong about Caol ila 12 on the first dram, and thinking I would give that 200ml sample bottle away. I don't want to go into the details of nose, pallet, finish and all that, but a couple months later when I decided to have another final taste with a friend whom I was going to give it to. I wasn't sure if it that initial taste grew on me or its complexity has transformed the over the course of two months after opened. Well, in short, I've changed my mind instantly since that second dram. Now, it's a must have in my liquor cabinet; after five 750ml bottle from TW, and painfully watching the price crept up from 60 to $80 a bottle!
Well said, Adolf! I always try to give a whisky a second, third, or even a fourth tasting before I give up on it. My preferences change over time and during a first taste of a whisky any number of factors could be influencing my opinion. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Neck pour is usually a barrier for me to understanding a whisky. Need to wait some time. It’s that way with Kavalan soloist series especially.
@@none0such Hi Richard. The "neck pour" being a different taste is an interesting debate. So much so, that my wife and I asked 6 of the 8 distilleries about it during our recent tour (ua-cam.com/video/0vgmmLMHXV0/v-deo.html) - we would have asked at all 8, but the comment that inspired it appeared after our first 2 tours.
Out of the 6 we asked about neck pour, 4 of them looked at us like we were from outer space, 1 said that oxygen in the bottle will change the whisky, but it's typically after 3/4 of the bottle is empty, and 1 said that he thought it mattered. The only thing I've noticed when first opening a bottle is that I tend to spill a drop or two more often with the neck pour. ;) Cheers!
It was recommended to me years ago. It is a component to Johnnie Walker Green Label, which I don’t grasp why it was pulled. It was my favorite Johnnie Walker.
I wonder if Diageo wasn't getting the volume sales on the Green Label, it's hard to say why expressions go away. Maybe even a whisky that was a component is no longer available. Big corporations don't always make sense.
Johnny Walker Green is going away? Saw a bottle today but not a big red or black fan.
@@rurugby that’s what I heard
Hi Kevin. That’s a tough call, but having tried both of these Islay classics, I would definitely go with Ardbeg 10!! Even when I was sold on Caol Ila for few years. The nose on Ardbeg is punchier due to its higher ABV but also that Caol Ila is little harsh.
As you swirl it in the mouth, the real difference comes to the fore, Ardbeg has that flavour combining camp fire, smoked meat and sea breeze. Caol Ila is more rubber and burnt twigs.
Both excellent whiskies, but I am a fan of Ardbeg 10 now. Am waiting to get my hands in the Ardbeg Uigidail and Corryvreckan.
BTW, if you can land yourself the Paul John Classic or Bold from Goa, India, you would be pleasantly surprised. They are amazing and winning awards.
Thanks for your videos. Merry Christmas and Happy new year. Cheers from India 🥂🥂
Thanks for the tips on PJ Classic and Bold. Let me know if you enjoy the other Ardbegs when you get a chance to try them. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the tip on Port Charlotte. Fantastic balance great addition to my collection
You're quite welcome, Patrick! I'm glad my video was helpful. Cheers!
I love Imperial stouts, but a steady diet of them can give me palate fatigue and not only will impy stouts taste blander, and I also lose any appreciation for more delicate beers like saisons or Hefeweizens.
In a similar vein, with a steady diet of nothing but heavily peated whiskies like Ardbeg, Laphroaig, etc, I can suffer from peat fatigue, and after a while, I can’t taste the peat. That’s when I need to take a break from the heavily peated stuff. Speysiders or Irish pot stills can reset my palate and I’ll get the oomph that I was missing from the heavily peated whiskies once again.
To eliminate the need to deal with peat overload, I add some more moderately peated whiskies like Talisker, Springbank, anCnoc, and Caol Ila into my regular rotation, and the issue can be avoided.
As it always rings true…enjoy all good things in moderation.
I completely agree about the need for variety. Every so often, I spend time with Highland Scotch or Irish whiskey to reset my palette. If you like Talisker 10, I have an episode coming Friday about it. Cheers!
Caol Ila 12 did really well on my Islay blind. But I find it more good than great. Ardbeg 10 is way better. Now the Old Particular Caol Ila 8 Cask Strength IB I got is fantastic. It's amazing how much difference there can be with cask strength.
I'm a cask strength fan myself. I'll have to try the Caol Ila 8 Cask Strength. Cheers!
So difficult to find the 8yr cask tho and prefer it to the 12 as well.
Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhrona is one of the whiskies that I have enjoyed the most, but I think that it has been discontinued....?
I still have a bottle of it, but it was a travel exclusive only. I happened to be traveling back from Sydney and grabbed one from that airport's duty free shop. It may be have been a one-time distillation.
I like Caol Ila 12 more than Ardbeg 10.
It has more fruit and sweetness and spiciness.
I definitely found more spiciness in the Caol Ila 12. Cheers!
I remember about twenty years ago the Observer food and drink writer identified Caol Ila as the best malt in the world . Now I don’t know about that but I’ve liked it ever since .
Caol Ila 12 for me. This was the first malt that I fell in love with. For me Ardbeg is a little soft and Laphroaig is a bit harsh without adding some water.I was really enjoying Port Charlotte as a budget Caol Ila but this last bottle just didn’t sit right with me. Back to the real thing next time I’m at Total Wine. Would prefer if I can find a sample bottled by Singnatory. BTW - was at a bar that only had Lagavulin for an Islay malt and a friend of mine asked for a taste and described it as tasting just like the smell of burning rubber.
Great review and cool comparison, keep up the good work. Got the 12 and the Distillers Moscatel edition to try side by side.
Thanks so much! I'll add the Distillers Moscatel edition to my whiskies to try, list. Cheers!
Great review Kev, really appreciate the content you produce. Keep up the good work buddy. 👍🥃
I appreciate your support and comments. Thanks! 😊
Ardbeg 10 although caol ila 7y and the 8y cask strength are really good imo.
I tasted a bunch off Islay's yesterday with my local whisky shop (only 12km from me) and I didn't know it till 2 days ago, it has an award off best whisky shop off Belgium (in 2015) a small shop but with 3000 bottles, and around 900-1000 open bottles for tasting. And the guy that owns it is such a chill dude. I talked an hour and a half with him about whisky. He has a lot off Islay whisky's (it are his favourite as well) and he doesn't like the coal ila 12y that much although he said it sells very well.
I also bought a cask strength batch 14 Laphroaig there as I'm still waiting for it from the online shop..
And offcourse I bought an ardbeg 10 too.
That sounds like a great whisky shop, I'm a little jealous. Unfortunately, it's hard to find any other Caol Ila expressions in San Francisco besides the 12 year. It's not one of my favorites either. Cheers!
My favourite is Ardbeg 10 followed by Caol Ila 12. Since they both are smoky n peaty. Love them
I just love ARDBEG 10. It was difficult going through the bottle of Caol Ila 12!
I'm looking forward to trying other expressions from Caol Ila the next time I'm in the UK. I think the US gets the lesser expression from that distillery. Cheers!
Its my daily drinker ,this Coal Ila.i keep going back to it.
That's excellent! The best whisky is the one you like best. Cheers!
I do have the Carl Ila 12 and the Ardbeg Wee Beasty. The Ardbeg is my favourit too.
The Ardbeg Wee Beastie is an aggressive 5 year old that I enjoy as well. Cheers!
@whisky riffs The mash bill for all single malt whiskies is the same, 100% malted barley. I suspect that wasn't what you meant to say.
You’re completely correct and I didn’t catch that I said that. I meant the details of the maturation in general are lacking. The malts.com site annoys me so much, I get flustered. 🙃
I did not like Ardbeg the first time I had it many years ago, but today I would love to try the Ardbeg Uigeadail. The color looks amazing. Caol Ila on the other hand I did like, and I would like to by a bottle of that again. Keep up with the good riffs!
If you enjoy sherry-influenced Scotch, you might enjoy the Uigeadail. Thanks for watching, cheers!
I love any Ardbeg, but the 10 to me doesn’t have a deep enough flavor. All smoke. Caol Ila is richer and more complex. It’s is one of my standard go-to’s
Thanks for the feedback. I don't think the Ardbeg 10 is overly complex, but I am a fan of that type of smoke flavor. Cheers!
Oh for sure! I love ardbeg too. An Oa was a pleasant surprise for the price. Also can’t beat the other Ardbegs. I just picked up a bottle of their Scorch. If you love smoke, it’s a must! Cheers!
For a while I had two bottles of An Oa and it was my nightly dram. I think I prefer the Corryvreckan, and the Wee Beastie is nice also. I haven't acquired a bottle of Scorch yet. The Traigh Bhan probably ate up the budget for it anyway. ;) Cheers!
So many to choose from! I love both the Caol Ila and the Ardbeg - with a slight preference for the Ardbeg (and cheaper too). I'd would happily have either Scotch any time, any where. Thanks for the great videos!
Thanks, Jay! Isn't the wealth of whisky that we get to choose from simply wonderful? Cheers!
Wait what damn prices really are weird. Here for caol ila 12 it's like 46 euro avg and ardbeg 10 is like 50 euro avg price. It's really weird that in prices are so much different in other countries/states...
Have you ever tried Kilchoman Machir Bay very good scotch. Islay is by far my favorite scotch
I have tried Machir Bay in this video: ua-cam.com/video/hsP58ltN-Do/v-deo.html. But I was much happier with the Loch Gorm: ua-cam.com/video/BsRoxrN3ztc/v-deo.html. Cheers!
I love Laphroig Quarter Cask and Lore on top then the Port Charlotte. I'd take Caol Ila over Ardbeg (haven't had the 10 yet but I've had 4 or 5 other ones). Ardbeg is a good whiskey I have a few bottles and wouldn't turn it down. but in the end it's all personal preference and I'd go for any of them
Hi, Chris! I just recommended the Quarter Cask and Lore to a commenter here. They are both great expressions. You hit the nail on the head with "it's all personal preference". Drink the whisky you like the way you like it! There are no rules or absolutes. Cheers!
I wish you compared it to lagavulin 16 I think their flavor profiles match a lot more than with the ardbeg ten. They do apparently have a lot in common. Or maybe it's just the bottle?
Hi James, both the Lagavulin and Caol Ila brands are part of Diageo, but the distilleries are still unique. The Ardbeg 10 is closer in price to the Caol Ila 12. Also, Diageo often lowers the ABV for their expressions with both of these at 43%. The Ardbeg 10 is at 46%. Cheers!
Personal experience is not much summer to Bunnahabhain but definitely each to their own 18-year-old is super good good video pall
Thanks! I definitely have to re-explore Bunnahabhain expressions. I used to always have those bottles around. Cheers!
Caol Ila is the gentile Islay. Great stuff.
Thanks for commenting, David. I'm in Scotland right now and it's nice to see more expressions of Caol Ila on the shelves. I could only find the 12 year in San Francisco. Cheers!
This isn't a technique, but I think remembering that a whiskey can change/open up after it has been opened for a while might be good to keep in mind, I am interested if after a while your opinion changes from these first time reactions. There has been a few whiskeys that I didn't like with the first couple of drinks, but after leaving it for a while and coming back I find that it is really good.
You're absolutely right, John. This is one reason why I've started pouring the whisky early in the recording and letting it breath before starting the tasting.
I also am a firm believer that environment affects taste, so I try to test a whisky again at a different time of day and look at what I've eaten close to a tasting time. Excellent shout, cheers!
My top 5 would be: classic laddie, lagavulin 8, kilcholman machir bay, laphroig 10, port charoltte 10 and caol ila 12
The Classic Laddie isn't peated or it would have made this list. I have an unpeated Scotch episode planned. Thanks for sharing, cheers!
So you’d have 6 in your top 5?
Caol Ila is my very favorite scotch !
I wish they would release a few more expressions and not send most of it to JW. I'd be interested in trying a Caol Ila 18.
I've found the Caol Ila to be the most inconsistent Islay whisky that I've tried. Over four bottles of the 12 year two of them were great and two I felt just tasted a bit too much like smoke and ash. That's over about the last 10 years
That's interesting, Robert. I've wondered the same thing about some other expressions that I've enjoyed in the past but haven't recently. Did they change or did I? It's a tough question for me to answer.
@@WhiskyRiffs I'll admit 4 experiences over 10 years isn't exactly scientific but it's the perception I've had and to be honest it has made me shy away from buying more. I don't want to put anyone else off though, best to try it and make up your own mind.
@@rsporsche I agree that it's mostly perception and everyone needs to do their own research and tasting. Whisky is a personal adventure.
I tasted some a few weeks ago, and failed to note how long the bottle had been open, nor how low it had gone.. all I could taste was rather insipid smoke.. just smoke.. like some tasteless meat product given the artificial smoke flavour treatment..
Makes me wonder whether the bottle had been open too long (it was at The Whisky Shop - a UK specialist chain) and the peat had faded.
Caol Ila is my favorite of ALL TIME!
Thanks for sharing. Now that I'm in different countries all the time, I'm seeing more Caol Ila options than the 12 year… and maybe I'll like those even more. Cheers!
Caol Ila is number 1 for me. It’s clear and crisp in the taste that it is trying to achieve. Ardbeg comes in at 5. Tries to do too much, over complex in a way, much like a student who uses too many long words in an essay to make them sound cleverer than they are. But as you l always say, it’s what you like that matters 👍
Well said, Nick! There are no wrong answers when it comes to choosing whisky… except when people call Fireball whiskey. ;) Cheers!
Your videos are awesome!
That's very kind of you to say. Thanks!
great review
Thank you, Joe!
What is your opinion on Proper 12?
I have not tried Proper 12. I think I had it in my online shopping cart a couple of times and then decided to go a different direction. Have you tried it? What do you think?
Kevin, not related to this video, but you've mentioned Flaviar before. Do you feel the membership is worth it? Any other on line sources you use for your whisk(e)y? Thanks.
I do love Flaviar for their detailed whisky information and the hard to find bottles that I occasionally buy from their vault - like the Traigh Bhan 19. But the real selling point for me is there Whisky Advent Calendar. It's the best one I've ever had because the bottles are bigger (50ml vs 30ml), each comes with tasting notes on cards, and there are always whiskies that I've never had before. Too many of these calendars include common spirits.
So, yes, Flaviar is worth it for me. If you decide it works for you too, my link will get you some free whisky: fbuy.me/v/kevin_14516.
I like Craft Whisky Club, but it doesn't allow me to pick bottles. I also use Reserve Bar for hard to find expressions, and my local shops: Total Wine, K&L Wine, and (rarely) BevMo. Thanks for asking and let me know if I can answer any more questions.
@@WhiskyRiffs That's great. Thank you. I've been enjoying your videos.
Thanks! Let me know if you ever want to see a whisky reviewed. 😊
I'm not a big fan of Coal Ila 12 myself but I do love Ardbeg 10. Could you perhaps recommend other whiskies with the same taste profile as Ardbeg 10? :) I think that I'm more partial to ex bourbon matured whiskies and not so much the sherry cask ones. :)
If you like Ardbeg 10, I'd suggest the Corryvreckan and the Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10. You also might enjoy the Kilchoman line of Scotch - that distillery is designed for fans of Islay spirits. Let me know if you find other expressions that you like.
@@WhiskyRiffs Thank you for the suggestions. 👍 Corrywreckan sounds exciting and Kilchoman also. I will check them out next. 🙂👍
It's my daily go to whisky so I'm a bigger fan of the Caol Ila 12 yr than I am of the Ardbegs and Lagavulin with one exception, the Ardbeg 5 yr Wee Beastie. I like the campfire I get from Caol Ila and I also like the burn without losing some of the smoothness. The Laphroig's are good as well, but they don't have the smoke I like. Good video though.
Thanks, Michael! The campfire note is what I like about most of the Ardbeg expressions. I didn't get the same note from the Caol Ila 12, but then again the Ardbeg 10 is 46% ABV vs the Caol Ila 12 at 43%. Maybe I'm just missing some of the intensity. Cheers!
Hi There great review,
Your so right I just tried the Jonnie walker island green and it has 30% caol li la yes it's spicy yes it's acidic to that 43% I added water thrice to get out the flavors to loving it. Although Ardbeg 10 is GOAT of my love for whiskey above all 😝.
In comparison it's more of white ash, coal dust mixed with fresh mud, earthenware, vomiting like pungent sulphuric acid, rotting yeast yogurt fresh bread soaked in water 😝😝😝, organic chemical 🥺, lemon squeezed on piping hot barbeque meat surprising at the same time sweet. Not that spicy but tingling salty fire like cramps on tip of tongue same type of spicy but not really spicy when we get a part of our tounge burnt while trying super hot food and loose sensation in that particular area 😂😂😂 in contrast to caol li la type really spicy 🔥🥵 like hot pepper.
Again depends also on the age of caol li la they have used in JW island green I may love the original caol li la but chill filtering and price keeps me away from buying it I would rather have a gift one fine day 😂 to make it a judgement day.
Great notes and details! Thanks for sharing, cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs
ua-cam.com/video/Yrguiz9Yov4/v-deo.html
Same tingling spicy ness mentioned in this vid of smoke head would like your review too🥰
Band Aids Good Review thank you my daily is JW Red
Thanks! I don't taste enough blended Scotch and should do an episode on the JW expressions.
Caol Ila 12 its Kissing a Mermaid Down Wind from a Clam Bake and They Are Using Seaweed With The Charcoal!
😂 Brilliant tasting notes!
I've had Caol Ila once, it did not make an impression on me at all, and I LOVE the Islays. I could be mistaken, but I believe it is the main whisky that goes into blended Chivas Regal. Chivas would be my go to in blended scotch if I were in withdrawal and about to seize and a single malt was not available. It was my father's favorite, until he had the misfortune of my having introducing him to single malts.
Hi, David! This 12 year only expression is a bit odd, but if selling to blenders is working for Caol Ila, I can't fault them. You introduced your dad to single malts as a misfortune? There are worse things a kid can do to a parent. 😂
Once opened give the Caol Ila a week to open up, you might change your mind. Same as you upon opening the bottle, the rubbery note was disturbing but after a week it toned down a bit and the whisky became so well balanced that it is now definitely in my top 5 Islays.
While on the subject, I've just opened last night a bottle of Ardbeg 10 (first time trying it) and I love everything about it (nose, peat, complexity) except that it feels to me somewhat thin, like slightly watered down, not enough punch or concentration to the palate/mouth-fill. Do I have a case here or am I only imagining this? would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for the review. subbed.
Hi Kushi, I do think the Caol Ila 12 was better on a second taste, but it's still not up there on my list. Now if I was in Europe/UK and could try the other expressions, I might change my mind.
If you like the Ardbeg 10, but want more of a punch, try the Ardbeg Corryvreckan. It's better in every way. Or you can try their Wee Beastie, which at only 5 years old gives more punch to the peat as well. Cheers and thanks for subscribing!
@@WhiskyRiffs Appreciate the reply. After posting I realised I was commenting on a 9 month old thread... I'm sure you've tried and re-tried the Caol Ila to form an opinion. Thanks for the Ardbeg recommendations, I'll sure looks into those, being a peat-head and all ;-)
Just poured a second dram of Ardbeg 10, what a great nose! let's see if day 2 brings something else taste wise.
Cheers!
I appreciate any comments, Kushi… even on older videos. Thanks!
WHISKY RIFFS,Hello, I once had a taste of CAOL ILA @ a ‘WHISKY LIVE ‘ SHOW many years ago when they were WELL attended, but they have now destroyed its attendance, by changing the show place,MUCH SMALLER location then COVID CANCELLED THEM, SOI see you seem to also love ILAY, WHISKIES, STAY WELL GOD BLESS,🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇸
I'm hopeful that we will be able to safely gather again to enjoy drams of whisky. Stay safe!
@@WhiskyRiffs hello,I just checked WHISKY LIVE. THEY ARE GOING BACK TO PIER60 it says EARLY MARCH, I GUESS THEY WILL SEND ME AN EMAIL, I WONT MISS THIS ONE. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Nice clip ,cheers
Brian Cox (proud Scot)pronounces it, koo layla
I used the pronunciation of another proud Scot: ua-cam.com/video/jcQglJyNL0w/v-deo.html. ;)
It's rthe to-mah-to / to-may-to conumdrum all over again...
@@warthogg27 Every country has its regional pronunciation differences. I'm just trying to get the names are right as I can. 😂
Caol Ila is woefully under-represented in the USA compared to Ardbeg. luckily CI is IB rich and many cask strength variants are available. Currently my favorites are young & sherry casked. BBQ in a bottle!
I've noticed more of the Caol Ila expressions after my wife and I started traveling full time (@findingGinaMarie). I'll have to try the BBQ in a bottle one you've mentioned. Cheers!
Thats the smoooooothest whiskey i have ever drank . Its #1 in my books
Thanks for sharing, this is a favorite expression for many of my viewers. Cheers!
The Caol Ila 18 is incredible. Those extra 6 years makes an incredible difference.
Unfortunately, the US market only has easy access to the 12 year. Maybe on my next trip to the UK I'll try the 18. Cheers!
Great review, but gotta practice those bends! Or maybe it's just a jazz scale I don't understand. If you have a digital tuner, clamp that sucker on there and bend to pitch until it's clear as day that you're on the right note. From there, you can tie it in with vibrato in whatever tempo you're playing in. But I'm just a nobody on the internet, thanks for sharing.
Hah! Thanks, Dan. My guitar riffs are often one-shot attempts to record at the last minute. I certainly can always use more practice. Hopefully the whisky reviews are more in tune. 😉 Cheers!
I agree that Ardbeg is superior. I always found Caol Ila too oily. And remember Diageo redirects most of Caol Ila production for John Walker. Caol Ila is not a premiere brand for them
Hi, Scott! You're absolutely correct. My wife asked me yesterday why there aren't other expressions than the 12 and I mentioned that Caol Ila is mostly used in JW expressions. Cheers!
The caol ila is aged on the mainland not on islay. But still nice
Thanks for that note, Darren. It's hard for Islay distilleries to malt enough barley on the island, so most of that is done on the mainland too. Cheers!
Thanks for this. I saw an old bottle of this today and will pass. I have a lot of open peats I need to finish.
Cheers
A lot of whisky fans love the Caol Ila 12. For me, it's decent but not an expression that I'll keep replacing in my cabinet. Cheers!
Comparing anything to Ardbeg is not a fair fight lol,but Caol Ila is a fine Islay whisky,I like it better than Bunnahabain,or even Lagavulin
Hi Paul. Interesting that you'd put Caol Ila above Bunnahabhain. I think the latter has a wide variety of expressions with very different nuances. Unfortunately, the only Caol Ila expression I can find in the US is the 12. The rest seem to be UK or European distribution only. Cheers!
Long life to Caol Ila
Next time I'm in the UK, I'm going to try the other Caol Ila expressions that aren't here in the US. Cheers!
You poured quite a dram there.
😂 The whisky doesn't go to waste. I cap the glass and drink the rest later during editing. Cheers!
Caol Ila is a great pour. To me it's more comparable to Lagavulin (especially the 8 year old) than any other whiskey. It sits between Bunnahabhain and Lagavulin in terms of taste and has its own smoke/peat flavor profile which is distinct from Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Bruichladdich.
I can see the Lagavulin 8 reference. That younger expression does remind me of Caol Ila 10. Cheers!
I would say Caol Ila flavour profile is like Lagavulin's 8 without the sweetness. I am a big Ardbeg fan and Laphroig and Caol Ila would be the least favourite whiskeys out of Islay.
Hi again. Yes, you are an "islay southener" indeed. From all the Islays, Caol Ila is the closest to "mass production". Most of the "no distillery mentioned" Islays, like Finlaggan, Ileach, Smokehead etc. have the Caol Ila source. When you"ve been to Islay, by any chance, did you go with Rabbie's ? Keep up your fine videos and the MUSIC !
Yes, we did use Rabbie's in 2018 as our guide for our four-day Islay tour. And we used them again just a month ago for our Speyside tour: ua-cam.com/video/0vgmmLMHXV0/v-deo.html. Thanks for your kind words and information. Cheers!
Thanks for your reply. I just watched the Speyside Tour video...great. Did you also cover the Islay tour with a video ? I visited Islay again in 2019, also with Rabbie's and we covered ALL distilleries, including Ardnahoe which just opened a month before.
@@michaelzimmermann2354 Thanks. We took our Islay tour 18 months before I started Whisky Riffs, so there was no thought to document it for a video. Rabbies took us to Oban and six of the eight Islay distilleries open at the time: Bowmore, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig. It would have been nice to have visited all of them, but we had a full bus and a packed schedule.
I got a good one you should try… Omar TTL!
Thanks for the suggestion! Is this the Omar Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky? I'll definitely put it on my list. What would you compare it to?
Port Charlotte over caol ila ardbeg over both
Some days, I agree that Ardbeg rules. Other times… the PHCP10 is what I prefer. I'm not good with absolutes. ;) Cheers!
Caol Ila 12 is just thin, simple & has a short finish, definitely doesn’t sit anywhere near any of the Islay or Campbelltown whiskies. The older Caol Ila expressions though are phenomenal, especially the 30 & 35 year old.
Thanks for that sharing, Clinton. I can believe that the older Caol Ila expressions are much better. I have the same feeling about Bunnahabhain and would start my recommendations with their 18 year. Now to explore how much damage the more aged Caol Ila bottles are going inflict on my whisky budget. ;) Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs they really are responsibly priced for 30 plus year old whiskies.
I'm having trouble finding the older Caol Ila expressions. I did see these two locally:
1996 Caol Ila 21 Year Old "Kingsbury" Single Hogshead Cask No. 791 Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) at $375 USD, and
1991 Caol Ila 30 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Hogshead Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) at $380.
What are your thoughts? Is the 30 yr worth almost $400?
As a peat-head I'd say none of these qualify as anything significant. But somehow Caol Ila has this unique profile that speaks to me, while Ardbeg 10 is stuck with just being a beginner's introduction to peated whiskeys.
That's the key, right? If a whisky speaks to you, it's the best whisky on the market. It doesn't matter what reviewers or "experts" say. Drink what you enjoy. Cheers!
Ardbeg 10 has a menthol type harshness, although I still enjoy it. Caol ila just has something different I really enjoy.
@@upinair4990 I was blown away by Ardbeg 10 when I first tried it. For me it was that distinct harsh spice. That was before I got into peat game. But then I went all in on Octomore and now Ardbeg 10 for me personally just feels too plain and watery. It's still a decent whiskey for what it is, but I'd pick any Ardbeg at cask strength over it for a better experience.
@@upinair4990 Menthol in Ardbeg 10? Interesting. It's not a note that I've found yet. I just recorded an episode about a Suntory single malt and did taste mint on that expression. It's not my favorite note.
@@WhiskyRiffs Yea I get almost like a nasaly peppermint gum type deal going on. Hard to describe lol.
всё бы хорошо, но вот эта скулящая гитара и бенды, которые вообще все мимо нот, просто какой-то ад и кровь из ушей
I'm certainly not a professional guitarist. I hope the reviews are good enough to balance out my videos.
Definitely not. Sadly this is one of the more disappointing bottlings from Islay.
It looks like Caol Ila has other (better?) expressions, but they're mostly available in the UK/Europe. Cheers!
Nah, sorry, Caol Ila doesn't respond by adding water. You're outta your depth mate.
No harm is trying to coax more flavors out of a dram. Especially when their own website recommends it: "To enjoy, simply serve the 12-Year-Old Caol Ila neat in a rocks glass, adding ice or a splash of water to taste." Cheers!
@@WhiskyRiffs cheers
@@WhiskyRiffs Here's what Ralfy thinks about that...@3:10 ua-cam.com/video/czcAaAcSiYw/v-deo.html
@@WhiskyRiffs I apologise for being rude to you. We're on the same team. I love Caol Ila with and without the water :)
@@shadmo8629 No worries! I didn't take your comment as rude at all. Spirited discussions about whisky are all good. Cheers!