At Port Askaig on Islay's north-east coast, where the tidal current sweeps past whitewashed buildings and the Paps of Jura rise across the sound, stands a distillery that spent decades feeding Johnnie Walker's blends in near-anonymity. Here it appears under its own name, bottled by a young whisky house from Edinburgh.
Expert's description
Caol Ila 8 Years Edinburgh Whisky Co The Discovery Collection is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in refill hogsheads and bottled at 46.3% without chill filtration and with natural colour.
Caol Ila Distillery, founded in 1846 at Port Askaig, is Islay's largest distillery and a key supplier to Diageo's blends – primarily Johnnie Walker. Only a small share is bottled as single malt, giving each independent release a degree of rarity.
Edinburgh Whisky Co is a family-owned independent whisky house from Edinburgh that assembled the Discovery Collection to celebrate Scotland's whisky regions. The series covers Speyside, Highland and Islay, and is always bottled without artificial colour or chill filtration.
Tasting notes
Nose
Sweet barbecue smoke meets fresh citrus and a touch of salt-laden sea air. A soft vanilla note from the cask lingers in the background.
Palate
Creamy and round. Warm smoke integrated with fresh fruit notes and a light hint of honey. The balance holds throughout.
Finish
The smoke lingers, soft and persistent, with a final suggestion of sweetness and maritime notes.
Specifications
Name: Caol Ila 8 Years Edinburgh Whisky Co The Discovery Collection
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Edinburgh Whisky Co
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill hogsheads
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: The Discovery Collection
Flavour profile
Peated · Fruity · Creamy · Maritime · Sweet
Did you know?
Caol Ila – Gaelic for 'Sound of Islay' – is the island's most productive distillery, yet among the least known by name. It forms the backbone of Johnnie Walker Black Label.
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