Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky
- Distillery
- Caol Ila
- Region
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Type
- ABV
- 40%
- Price
- £500
- Tasting notes
- Smokey, Kippery, Medicinal, Old Wood
- Description
- Bottled in the early 1980s when single malts were still a specialist category, this Caol Ila 1981 showcases the distillery's maritime peat character with seaweed, brine, and warming coastal smoke. The 21-year maturation in refill casks has mellowed the raw spirit while preserving the signature Islay salinity. A rare window into how Caol Ila expressed itself before modern consistency standards. Seek this out for its historical significance and authentic expressions of Islay's peaty terroir.
Similar bottles to Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky
Same price range with overlapping tasting notes:
- Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky vs Glenmorangie Artein 15 Year Old Private Edition — Glenmorangie, £399, 5.0★ · Sherried, Vanilla, Toasted, Old Wood
- Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky vs Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) — Springbank, £599.95, 5.0★ · Smokey, Old Wood, Leathery, Toasted
- Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky vs Ardbeg 21 Year Old — Ardbeg, £599, 5.0★ · Smokey, Medicinal, Kippery, Leathery
Different style alternatives to Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky
Same price range with a contrasting flavour profile:
- Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky vs Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts — Teaninich, £344.14, 5.0★ · Hay-like, Leafy, Malt Extract, Vegetative
- Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky vs Kavalan Solist Amontillado Cask — Kavalan, £387.43, 5.0★ · Sherried, Dried Fruit, Nutty, Chocolate
- Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky vs Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) — Midleton, £300, 5.0★ · New Wood, Vanilla, Toasted, Cooked Mash
No ratings yet
My Rating
Tap to rate
ABV
40%
Age
NAS
Style
Price
£500
✦ Neatly Summary
Caol Ila 1981 / 21 Year Old / First Cask #285 Islay Whisky is a from Caol Ila (United Kingdom), bottled at 40% ABV. Expect intensely smoky, heavily oaked and peaty character — smokey, kippery, medicinal, old wood. Best suited for experienced drinkers who enjoy bold, complex whiskies. A collector's expression at a premium price point.
Bottled in the early 1980s when single malts were still a specialist category, this Caol Ila 1981 showcases the distillery's maritime peat character with seaweed, brine, and warming coastal smoke. The 21-year maturation in refill casks has mellowed the raw spirit while preserving the signature Islay salinity. A rare window into how Caol Ila expressed itself before modern consistency standards. Seek this out for its historical significance and authentic expressions of Islay's peaty terroir.
Explore similar whiskies
Community Tasting Notes
No community notes yet. Sign in to add yours.
DrinkNeatly earns an affiliate commission if you buy via links on this page · Prices may vary
Similar taste profile
Questions & Answers