Caol Ila 2013/2021 Adelphi Selection 8 years old Single Islay Malt Whisky 58,4%

Adelphi tests around 25 casks for every one they approve. That is not accidental. Alex Bruce and Charles Maclean sit with samples and ask: is this exceptional? Fewer than four per cent of the casks offered to them get a yes. This Caol Ila cask from 2013 was one of them.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2013/2021 Adelphi Selection 8 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single bourbon cask (no. 300371), bottled at cask strength 58.4% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 324 bottles.

Adelphi Selection is an Edinburgh-based independent bottler with roots in a distilling dynasty going back to 1826. The same principle always applies: only the casks that truly impress make it into a bottle bearing Adelphi's name. The bourbon cask produced a clean, classic Caol Ila expression – maritime notes, peat smoke and a touch of sweetness.

The high cask strength of 58.4% and 324 bottles make this a rare bottling for those who want Caol Ila without compromise.

Tasting notes

Nose

Clean and maritime with peat smoke upfront. Salty sea air, light citrus and a soft vanilla note from the bourbon wood. Fresh and direct.

Palate

Concentrated and salty. Smoke, citrus and good body. The bourbon sweetness is present but understated – Caol Ila's maritime notes dominate.

Finish

Long and warm with persistent smoke and a lightly peppery dryness. Add a drop of water for more openness.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2013/2021 Adelphi Selection 8 Years
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 58.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – bourbon cask
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: 2021
Number of bottles: 324

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Salty · Fresh · Concentrated

Did you know?

Adelphi Selection is named after the Adelphi Distillery in Edinburgh, which closed in 1902. The company was revived by a descendant of the original distilling family and is today one of Scotland's most selective independent bottlers.

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Frequently asked questions about Caol Ila 2013/2021 Adelphi Selection 8 Years

Is Caol Ila from Adelphi Selection worth it?

Adelphi approves fewer than 4% of the casks they test. That means an Adelphi bottling is a genuinely hand-picked single cask with documented quality. 324 bottles underline the rarity.

What makes Adelphi different as a bottler?

Alex Bruce and Charles Maclean physically sit with samples and reject the vast majority. Only the casks that truly impress are approved. All bottlings are single casks, without chill filtration.

What does Caol Ila Adelphi Selection taste like?

Clean, maritime peat smoke with citrus and a soft bourbon sweetness. Concentrated and salty at 58.4% – start neat and add a drop of water.

What is cask strength?

The whisky has not been diluted after maturation. The alcohol content corresponds directly to what came out of the cask.

What is Adelphi's selection process?

The company tests approximately 25 casks for each one it bottles. Fewer than 4% of offered casks are approved.

How many bottles are there?

324 bottles from a single bourbon cask. The batch is closed.

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 best?

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