Caol Ila 15 years old Unpeated Style 2018 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 59.1%

Once a year, Caol Ila does something unexpected: they stop the peat and malt barley with untouched grain. The result is Caol Ila Unpeated Style – a window into what the distillery tastes like once smoke is taken out of the equation.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 15 Years Unpeated Style 2018 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled in 2018 at cask strength 59.1% – one of the distillery's rarest official releases. Here the barley has been malted without peat.

Unpeated Style is a limited annual release Diageo has produced since the early 2000s, primarily for the Feis Ile festival on Islay. The 2018 edition shows what 15 years in oak casks gives to a distillate not defined by smoke.

Without peat smoke, Caol Ila's true distillate character emerges – flowers, vanilla, fresh fruit and richness from maturation. It is a different Caol Ila from the one people know, and for those accustomed to the island's smoke, it can feel almost foreign. That is precisely what makes it fascinating.

Tasting notes

Nose

Floral and fruity – apple, pear and white flowers. Vanilla and honey from the oak, with a creamy sweetness that has no parallel in the peated bottlings.

Palate

Rich and full without smoke's structure. Ripe fruit – peach, apricot – with soft oak and an almost diaphanous sweetness. Cask strength gives warmth and depth.

Finish

Long and slightly exotic. Vanilla, ripe fruits and a note of floral honey – completely unlike the familiar biting close of smoke.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 15 Years Unpeated Style 2018
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 59.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
Bottled: 2018
EAN no.: 5000281051666

Flavour profile

Floral · Fruity · Creamy · Rich · Unpeated

Investment potential

Low to Medium. Caol Ila Unpeated Style is a limited and discontinued official release from Diageo. The 2018 edition is sought by collectors following Caol Ila's rarer bottlings and has largely left the market.

Did you know?

Caol Ila typically produces 3.3 million litres of pure alcohol per year. The unpeated edition accounts for only a tiny fraction – malted in the same mill as the peated versions but with grain that has never touched peat.

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Frequently asked questions about Caol Ila 15 Years Unpeated Style 2018

Is Caol Ila 15 Years Unpeated Style 2018 worth it?

For those seeking something rare and different from Caol Ila, yes. A discontinued official release at 59.1% cask strength and 15 years is a rare find showing an entirely different side of the distillery.

What is Caol Ila Unpeated Style?

A limited edition where the barley has been malted without peat – the opposite of the norm. The result is a Caol Ila without its signature smoke, revealing the distillate's fruity and floral character.

Does it actually taste like Caol Ila?

Yes – the distillate's style, body and freshness are there. But the smoke is gone, replaced by flowers, ripe fruit and vanilla. Caol Ila in a recognisable but fundamentally different version.

Is it a good gift?

Yes, especially for a serious whisky enthusiast who already knows Caol Ila. High surprise factor, and a bottling most people have never tasted.

What is cask strength?

The whisky has not been diluted after maturation – 59.1% is directly from the cask. Start neat and optionally add a drop of water.

What is Feis Ile?

Islay's annual whisky festival, drawing distilleries and enthusiasts from around the world. Caol Ila has traditionally released special festival editions – including Unpeated Style.

What is Caol Ila distillery?

Caol Ila is owned by Diageo and contributes malt primarily to Johnnie Walker blends. The distillery is Islay's largest, yet far less well-known than its neighbours. Caol Ila sits at Port Askaig on Islay's north-east coast, directly overlooking the Sound of Islay towards Jura. The coastal setting shapes the whisky's salty, maritime character.

Which glass is recommended?

A tulip-shaped glass like a Glencairn is ideal – it concentrates the aromas and brings out the balance. See our range of whisky glasses.