New Caol Ila 12yo in the US?

Related whiskies : Caol Ila 12 Years Old , Caol Ila 1997 12 Years Old , Caol Ila Unpeated 12 Years Old

by **SELewis** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 8:49 pm

Yesterday I was visiting my local Beverages & More and saw an interesting Caol Ila 12yo....I've never seen it before. I'm a big fan of the Islays, esp. Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000073189&No=30&N=168+166+40+4294956527&area=spirits

at $58 it's not exactly cheap, but it's affordable if others give some positive feedback.

Has anyone sampled this 'new to the US' bottling?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Sean Lewis in California

by **hpulley** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:58 pm

Canada too (Ontario at least) finally has the new Caol Ila OBs. We have the 12yo, 18yo and CS now. I'm told the CS is the best and that is likely the one I'll try. The CS and 18yo are both $100 CND which seems quite reasonable while the 12yo is $75 which seems quite expensive in comparison. When I try the CS, I'll post my thoughts (will HTH with Laga 12yo CS).

Harry

by **WestVanDave** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 7:35 am

Sean - the Caol Ila 18 made a brief appearance in British Columbia, Canada at the beginning of this year. It flew off the shelves (at $100 Cdn.) and has not returned

... We never saw the 12 or CS here - but then BC liquor stores are government operated and painfully restrictive/limited in selection :evil:

.

I was in Toronto last week and while stocking up on Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength I grabbed a bottle of the Caol Ila 18. It is very enjoyable and a real contrast to the Lagavulin (for an Islay). I don't have my tasting notes available - but do remember that it was very enjoyable - bright, fresh and subtle and not a peat monster. I would recommend the 18 if you see it.

The Caol Ila Cask Strength does not make any reference to age. I am curious to here Harry's comments - especially of he puts it up against the mighty Lag.

Cheers, Dave.

by **lucabeer** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:21 am

The Caol Ila 18 (with the orange label) is very good. Peaty, herbal, sweet, very well balanced.

I have not tried the 12, but IMHO it costs too much in comparison.

I plan to buy the Cask Strength very soon.

by **islayjunkie** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:39 am

SELewis wrote:Yesterday I was visiting my local Beverages & More and saw an interesting Caol Ila 12yo....I've never seen it before. I'm a big fan of the Islays, esp. Lagavulin and Laphroaig.

Interesting. I just bought a bottle of the Caol Ila 1990 Signatory 13yo from BevMo. It was good but not worth $55.99 so long as I can stock up on Ardbeg 10yo at $42.99 or Laphroaig 10yo at $29.99. The Caol Ila 1990 Reminds me of a tamed down Lagavulin 12yo CS.

http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sk ... ea=spirits

The Caol Ila Single Malt 18yo looks like a bargain at 69.99... will have to visit my local BevMo and check it out

by **Lawrence** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:01 pm

I tried the Caol Ila 12 in Scotland last month and was not impressed, it was vaguely fishing, quite unpleasant.

The 18 is impressive, I have an extra bottle tucked away.

by **SELewis** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:54 am

I have decided not to purchase the Caol Ila 12yo. Instead, I ordered a bottle of Lagavulin 12yo CS off the web for $98. Should be here in a week or so

Regards,
Sean in NorCal

by **BruceCrichton** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:05 am

Lawrence wrote:I tried the Caol Ila 12 in Scotland last month and was not impressed, it was vaguely fishing, quite unpleasant.

The 18 is impressive, I have an extra bottle tucked away.

There is a stronger, peatier, smokier one available called 'Auld Reekie' from Duncan Taylor and co. It's 46%, unchilfiltered and cheaper.

There is also a whisky called Pibroch which is very crisp, which I assume is Caol Ila, and it's available from the Highlands and Islands whisky company based in Glasgow.

Those are both more impressive than the official Caol Ila.

by **Spirit of Islay** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:53 pm

I Agree with Bruce , the Auld Reekie is a good (cheap) example of a Caol Ila . Apart from the CS O.B. i've been very disappointed with the official bottlings (F&F , 12 and 18yo) , the Rare Malts have been pretty good on the whole though .
Other ones i would recommend are :-
Any SMWS one , from 7yo to 20yo , all have been exceptional.
John McDougalls 12yo Golden Cask ones , on par with the SMWS ones.
Coopers Choice, outstanding 8yo a few years ago.

Slainté
Gordon

by **islayjunkie** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:18 am

Spirit of Islay wrote:i've been very disappointed with the official bottlings (F&F , 12 and 18yo)

Thanks for the warning...

by **Bunkermania** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:14 pm

I have tried the CS and it is very good. I tried it together with an Adelphi bottling (12 year old) and that one was also superb. The 2 Signatory vintage Caol Ila (1990 and 1984) were notthing special though. I also have a 23 year old Rare Malt and that one is absolutely terrific. For the best value for money I would recommend Caol Ila CS anytime. Great whisky for an affordable price.

Related whiskies : Caol Ila 12 Years Old , Caol Ila 1997 12 Years Old , Caol Ila Unpeated 12 Years Old

New Caol Ila 12yo in the US?

New Caol Ila 12yo in the US?

Re: New Caol Ila 12yo in the US?