Caol Ila 12yr standard?

[talisker10]

Although I think Auld Reekie may have contained some Caol Ila, I have never knowingly had Caol Ila. I wonder if some of you peat-heads could give me an idea of what it taste like as compared to the peated ones below that I have had:

Laphroaig 10, 10 CS, 15, and QC
Lagavulin 16
Ardbeg 10
Bowmore 12
Talisker 10
BenRiach Curiositas


Thanks!

[Mr Fjeld]

I love Caol Ila 12!!! Now it's said
I think it's a a typical Islay whisky in the way that it resembles the Kildalton trio of Laphroiag, Lagavulin (12) and Ardbeg (Ten) . Its smoke character is not unlike Ardbeg Ten but it differes in other areas. I find Ardbeg "drier" an maybe it packs a punch compared to the Caol Ila - however, the Caol Ila has a fantastic peppery and oily character which reminds me of good quality virgin oil - or maybe a Calamata virgin oil from Greece? It also has a faint trace of smoked fish which is lovely. Do try it with smoked cod with butter and chopped hard boiled eggs. If you like smoky whiskies you cannot go wrong with Caol Ila 12.

Edit: typos

[talisker10]

Thanks!

[The Third Dram]

If you like smoky whiskies you cannot go wrong with Caol Ila 12.

It IS tasty! One of the best standard-age-strength editions in the Diageo portfolio at the moment, I'd hazard.

[pkt77242]

Talisker 10,

Mr. Fjeld hit the flavors on the head. A very good whisky and if you enjoy peat it is definitely worth trying.

Sean

[Gov]

I am drink one now! I really like the stuff!

[vivbao]

This is really good stuff, and goes down easier than most islays. The cask strength is fantastic too. Enjoy!

[talisker10]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like when the budget will allow it I will definitely have to pick that up.

[triguy42]

Although fortunately you seem to have made your mind up in the right direction (towards buying a bottle) I thought I'd throw in some extra info. Over the past ~10 years I've had several bottles and the newer bottlings are all substantially better than in the early 2000s. Older ones had a very heavy oiliness that seemed to crush the life out of the malt, making it tough to detect any subtlety. The last two bottles I've bought (late 2006 and late 2008) still have a bit of oiliness but in a much more pleasant way. More depth and character, probably most like the Laphroaig 10yr in some ways but still quite different. While the Laphroaig 10 is more straightforward intensity (which I love) the newer Caol Ila 12s have a bit more of everything. Personally with prices of the Caol Ila 12 and Arbeg 10 being nearly identical around here I'd go Ardbeg...but variety is the spice of life!

[talisker10]

That's surprising that Caol Ila has gotten better recently, but very good to hear. If you read on the web on all the SMW sites and blogs it would leave a relative novice (1.5 years drinking SMW) to believe that most all have gone downhill in the past 10 years. Here in the Houston area, Caol Ila 10 is about $8-$10 cheaper than Ardbeg 10.

[triguy42]

Well, I wouldn't say that *all* malts have gone down in the last 10 years. Certainly some have as the sales volume has increased...the quality of some of the sherried speysiders is pretty variable these days...Lagavulin 16yr about 4 or so years ago was lacking in it's trademark power, and Bowmore turned into coughdrop-tasting crap IMO. But Ardbeg 10 has consistently improved, Bruichladdich's second 15yr is finally worth buying, their 3D series I really liked, Highland Park turned their originally feinty-hot 15yr into a good malt, etc. There's good with the bad of course.

[peergynt323]

It fits squarely into my list of standard OBs that is worth the money.