Review: Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2011 – Distilled 1998

Review: Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2011 – Distilled 1998

Review: Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2011 – Distilled 1998

A classic 12 year old Islay malt whisky, finished in Moscatel (aka Muscat) casks.

As fans know (and love), Caol Ila is one of the peatier whiskys out there, and even the sweet orange character of Muscat can’t cut through the smoke with much effect. Burly, smoldering, and long-lasting, it’s classic, somewhat simple Islay whisky through and through.

In almost every way, it’s the least challenging of the six whiskys we’ve tasted this week (and are now wrapping up with this review), but it’s still plenty enjoyable for the peat freaks out there. I just wish I could report there was more complexity — specifically more in the way of sweetness — somewhere in here.

86 proof.

B / $81 / malts.com

Caol Ila Distillers Edition 2011 - Distilled 1998

$81
8

Rating

8.0/10

A veteran journalist, the author of four books, a published poet, and an award-winning winemaker, Christopher Null has more than 25 years of experience writing about wine and spirits. He founded Drinkhacker in 2007. He also writes regularly about the science of booze for WIRED and is an occasional contributor to ADI's Distiller magazine. He has been a judge for both the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits and Whiskies of the World spirits competitions and often works as a consultant, developing formal tasting notes for spirits brands around the world.

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