Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Distillery
- Caol Ila
- Region
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Type
- ABV
- 40%
- Price
- £1250
- Tasting notes
- Smokey, Oily, Medicinal
- Description
- Caol Ila's 12-year-old from the 1980s represents the distillery in its role as a classic blending malt, before it became celebrated for single-malt releases. The profile shows restrained peat smoke with briny maritime notes and a subtle sweetness from the ex-bourbon maturation. Medium-bodied with a clean, dry finish that demonstrates Islay's characteristic seaweed and salt without overwhelming richness. A window into how this workhorse malt contributed to some of Scotland's finest blended whiskies.
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Same price range with overlapping tasting notes:
- Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky vs Talisker 30 Year Old — Talisker, £829.95, 5.0★ · Smokey, Fresh Fruit, Old Wood, Oily
- Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky vs Laphroaig 32 Year Old (2015 Release) — Laphroaig, £1500, 5.0★ · Smokey, Sherried, Dried Fruit, Leathery
- Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky vs Port Ellen 33 Year Old - Batch 6 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) — Port Ellen, £999.95, 5.0★ · Smokey, Medicinal, Old Wood, Leathery
Different style alternatives to Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Same price range with a contrasting flavour profile:
- Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky vs Glenfarclas 40 Year Old — Glenfarclas, £1275, 5.0★ · Sherried, Old Wood, Honey, Dried Fruit
- Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky vs Glenugie 30 Year Old 1980 - Deoch an Doras — Glenugie, £899, 5.0★ · Old Wood, Sherried, Dried Fruit, Honey
- Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky vs Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014 — Glenfiddich, £799, 5.0★ · Sherried, Vanilla, Honey, Old Wood
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ABV
40%
Age
NAS
Style
✦ Neatly Summary
Caol Ila 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a from Caol Ila (United Kingdom), bottled at 40% ABV. Expect intensely smoky, peaty and oaky character — smokey, oily, medicinal. Best suited for experienced drinkers who enjoy bold, complex whiskies. A collector's expression at a premium price point.
Caol Ila's 12-year-old from the 1980s represents the distillery in its role as a classic blending malt, before it became celebrated for single-malt releases. The profile shows restrained peat smoke with briny maritime notes and a subtle sweetness from the ex-bourbon maturation. Medium-bodied with a clean, dry finish that demonstrates Islay's characteristic seaweed and salt without overwhelming richness. A window into how this workhorse malt contributed to some of Scotland's finest blended whiskies.
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