Caol Ila 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky is Islay's great entry-level single malt: 12 years in oak, bottled at 43% ABV in a 750mL bottle, with a peat-smoke character that is assertive yet remarkably refined. From the distillery beside Port Askaig — the largest on Islay — it pours a pale straw and delivers maritime smoke wrapped in citrus and olive-oil smoothness. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 12 years — Islay single malt
- Origin: Port Askaig, Isle of Islay, Scotland (Diageo)
- Profile: peat smoke, citrus, olive oil, sea air
Islay's Gentle Giant
Caol Ila (pronounced "Cull Eela," Gaelic for "Sound of Islay") sits beside Port Askaig, where the ferries cross the Sound, and it is the workhorse of Islay — the island's largest distillery. The 12 Year Old is its flagship: a single malt Scotch whisky that shows Islay peat in its most balanced form — smoky but never scorched, with a citric freshness that sets it apart from its heavier southern neighbors.
Tasting Notes
The nose opens fresh and lively with green olive, sea air, and a clean line of peat smoke. On the palate it is mouth-filling and oily — sweet malt and citrus riding over maritime smoke, with a spicy pepper warmth building toward the finish. The finish is long, drying, and smoky, with lingering lemon and bonfire embers.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a Glencairn is the purist's pour; a few drops of water open the citrus and soften the smoke. At 43% ABV it takes ice gracefully and makes a formidable base for a smoky Rob Roy. Pair with oysters, smoked salmon, or dark chocolate — or pour it after a rich meal as a fireside digestif.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caol Ila 12 peated?
Yes — it is a peated Islay single malt, though its smoke is lighter and more elegant than heavily peated malts like Ardbeg or Lagavulin.
How strong is Caol Ila 12?
It is bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof).
Where is Caol Ila distillery?
Beside Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay, Scotland; it is the island's largest distillery.
How do you pronounce Caol Ila?
"Cull Eela" — Gaelic for "Sound of Islay."
For more from this Islay distillery, browse Caol Ila, and for the wider category see our Scotch whisky shelves. Order Caol Ila 12 Year Old online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
