Caol Ila is derived from Gaelic Caol Ìle for "Sound of Islay" (lit. "Islay Strait") in reference to the distillery's location overlooking the strait between Islay and Jura. It was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. The distillery did not fare well and changed hands in 1854 when Norman Buchanan, owner of the Isle of Jura Distillery, took over.
Caol Ila is one of the lighter Islay whiskies, pale in color, with peaty, floral, and peppery notes.
The 2004 vintage of Caol Ila's entry in Diageo's Distillers Edition range, bottled in 2016. This takes the distillery's regular smoky malt and finishing it in sweet Moscatel wine casks for an extra depth of sweetness.
ABV: 43% | Bottle Size: 700ml