Named after one of the world's most notorious whirlpools, and just as violent and untamed in the glass as the current is at the coast.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Corryvreckan is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in French oak and ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 57.1%.

The name comes from the Corryvreckan whirlpool north of Islay, a natural phenomenon that mirrors the whisky's raw power. It's neither chill filtered nor coloured, letting the full cask strength show through from the first sip to the last.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bold black coffee meets dense, rich dark chocolate tones, with sweet autumn fruit like blackcurrant and cherry in the background.

Palate

Elegant, softly spiced oak ties it all together with heavy peat and a touch of salt that bites gently on the tongue.

Finish

Long, with a lingering salty edge that stays with you well after each sip.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: French oak and ex-bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5010494296280

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Salty · Spiced · Cask strength

Did You Know?

The Corryvreckan whirlpool the whisky is named after is considered one of the third largest tidal whirlpools in the world and can be heard for miles when it's at its wildest.

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A universe of smoke, where the peat doesn't just fill the glass but the whole room around it.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Smokiverse is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 48.3%.

The nose delivers an explosion of fruity esters reminiscent of smoked bubblegum, mixed with ripening barley and toasted sourdough. The whisky is non-chill filtered, so its full, oily structure carries right through to the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dense, sweet peat smoke mingles with lightly smoked tropical fruit, and a drop of water draws the aromas out even further.

Palate

Rich and creamy with a luxurious mouthfeel that shifts into sharp, sooty, spiced notes of creosote, aniseed and cloves, balanced by muscovado sugar.

Finish

Almost endless, leaving a lasting impression of earthy peat moss melting into glowing bonfire embers.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Smokiverse
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48.3%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
EAN no.: 5010494995305

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Creamy · Fruity

Did You Know?

The name Smokiverse is Ardbeg's own way of suggesting that the distillery's smoke spans a whole universe of nuance, from sweet to sooty, all within a single dram.

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21 years on cask and only 8,268 bottles in the world, an age Ardbeg rarely puts on display.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Twenty One 21 Year Old Committee Release 2016 is an Islay Single Malt Whisky distilled in spring 1995, bottled in 2016 after 21 years of maturation, at 46%.

The release is a Committee Release, reserved for members of Ardbeg's own fan community, and is among the oldest vintage bottles the distillery has ever released at this scale.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Restrained, mature peat alongside a soft sweetness that only truly shows after so many years on cask.

Palate

Rounded and well balanced, where the classic Ardbeg smoke has been smoothed by decades of maturation without losing its identity.

Finish

Long and elegant, with a lasting smoky warmth that speaks to the age.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Twenty One
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: Spring 1995
Bottled: 2016
Number of bottles: 8,268 bottles
Edition: Committee Release 2016
EAN no.: 5010494934410

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Mature · Elegant · Rounded

Investment Potential

High. As one of Ardbeg's oldest releases, limited to 8,268 bottles and long sold out from the distillery, Twenty One is regarded as one of the most sought-after bottles among Ardbeg collectors.

Did You Know?

Ardbeg won "World Whisky of the Year" two years running in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, a recognition that cemented the distillery's status in the very years this 21-year-old was bottled.

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Ardnahoe Bholsa Single Islay Malt Whisky 50%

Ardnahoe Bholsa is a distinctive Islay single malt, primarily matured in Oloroso sherry casks. It is bottled without artificial coloring and without chill filtration, preserving its natural depth and complexity. With an alcohol strength of 50%, it delivers a rich and well-balanced tasting experience.

The aroma presents intense notes of red fruits, roasted walnuts, fresh orange peel, and elegant peat smoke. The palate reveals layers of raisins, sweet dates, and juicy plums, all balanced by Islay’s signature peat smoke, which extends into a long, spicy finish with a hint of black pepper.

The name Bholsa is inspired by the majestic Bholsa caves located near the distillery. These caves leave a lasting impression on those who visit—just like this unique whisky.

Distillery: Ardnahoe
Name: Ardnahoe Bholsa
Country: Scotland
Age: NA
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
Abv: 50%
70 cl

Ardnahoe Cask Strength Batch 1 Single Islay Malt Whisky 60.9%

Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay presents a powerful and authentic release that speaks directly to both collectors and passionate whisky enthusiasts. This first batch has been matured for five years in carefully selected first-fill bourbon casks, highlighting the distillery’s distinctive style and giving the whisky remarkable depth.

At its natural cask strength of 60.9%, the whisky is bottled with no chill-filtration and no added colouring – a true expression of Ardnahoe’s craftsmanship and terroir.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Fresh coastal breeze, earthy peat smoke, and rich cocoa.
• Palate: Orchard fruits, herbal tea, and salted caramel, developing into a complex and balanced body.
• Finish: Smoky with elegant citrus nuances that linger on the palate.

Ardnahoe Cask Strength Batch 1 is a whisky that combines the raw nature of Islay with the distillery’s uncompromising dedication to quality.

Distillery: Ardnahoe
Name: Ardnahoe Cask Strength
Country: Scotland
Age: 5 years
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 60.9%
Bottle Size: 70 cl
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Ardnahoe Small Batch for Danish Retailers 2026 PX Quarter Cask Single Islay Malt Whisky 60.6%

Ardnahoe presents an exclusive Small Batch release created specifically for the Danish market – a powerful and characterful Islay single malt that unites the distillery’s clean, maritime spirit with the deep sweetness of Pedro Ximénez quarter casks. The result is a whisky that is young, intense and remarkably complex for its age.

Distilled in June 2019 and bottled in February 2026, this 6‑year‑old expression showcases Ardnahoe’s signature style: slow distillation, high cut points and the use of traditional worm tubs, which contribute to a fuller, richer and more oily spirit. After its initial maturation, the whisky was transferred into small PX quarter casks, adding layers of dark fruit, syrupy sweetness and spicy depth.

On the nose, an intense mix of peat smoke, sea spray and sweet PX notes rises immediately. Dried fruits, raisins and dark caramel form a warm, rich layer over the fresh smoke, while a salty mineral edge evokes the rugged Islay coastline. There is both youthful vibrancy and a surprising maturity in the aroma.

The palate is powerful and full‑bodied, driven by the high strength of 60.6%. The oily texture from the worm tubs gives the whisky a bold mouthfeel where smoke, dark chocolate, raisins, spices and deep, syrup‑like sweetness melt together. The PX casks add a rich, dessert‑like character that contrasts beautifully with the maritime peat smoke.

The finish is long, warm and lingering. Smoke remains present alongside notes of dark fruit, oak and a lightly bitter‑sweet touch that rounds off the whisky and invites another sip.

This Ardnahoe Small Batch PX Quarter Cask is a statement from a young distillery already showing confidence and a strong identity. It is an intense, sweet and smoky Islay experience crafted exclusively for Danish whisky enthusiasts who appreciate a dram with both power and finesse.

Distillery: Ardnahoe
Name: Ardnahoe Single Cask for Danish Retailers
Country: Scotland
Age: 6 years – Distilled June 2019, Bottled February 2026
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 60.6%
Bottles: 204
70 cl
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There are whiskies you open for a special occasion. And there are whiskies that are the occasion. A 21-year-old Bowmore from 1989, bottled directly from a single sherry cask — only 240 bottles, exclusively for the Danish market — falls unmistakably into the second category.

Expert's description

Bowmore 1989/2010 A.D. Rattray 21 Year is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a sherry cask (cask no. 1099) and bottled at 52.2%. A. Dewar Rattray is one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers, and Tim Morrison behind the company knows Bowmore from the inside — his family owned the distillery from 1963 to 1994 before Suntory took over. This gives the bottling a particular credibility. Cask no. 1099, a sherry cask, received new make spirit on 18 February 1989 and was bottled exactly 21 years later, on 18 February 2010. That symmetry is rare. Non-chill filtered, natural colour, at natural cask strength of 52.2% and selected specifically for the Danish market — only 240 bottles in total.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dark fruit at the front — stewed plums, raisins and a trace of leather. Behind it, Bowmore's sea salt and gentle smoke, now wrapped in the warmth of old sherry oak.

Taste

Rich and layered. Dark chocolate, dried fig and orange peel with a warming peat smoke running through the middle. The sherry cask has left its mark deeply — yet the Islay character remains intact.

Finish

Long and complex. Smoke, dried fruit and gentle spice continue for minutes. One of the longest finishes you will find in a Bowmore of this age.

Specifications

Name: Bowmore 1989/2010 A. Dewar Rattray Individual Cask Bottling
Distillery: Bowmore
Bottler: A. Dewar Rattray
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 52.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry cask (cask no. 1099)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 18.02.1989
Bottled: 18.02.2010
Number of bottles: 240
Edition: Individual Cask Bottling – Danish exclusive

Flavour profile

Sherried · Aged · Peated · Maritime · Single Cask

Investment potential

High. A 1989 vintage Bowmore single cask with only 240 bottles, a Danish exclusive and bottled by a family with direct ties to the distillery. An exceptional and increasingly rare collector's bottle.

Did you know?

The Morrison family, who owned Bowmore from 1963 to 1994, also owned Highland Park and Auchentoshan. Tim Morrison — the man behind A. Dewar Rattray today — grew up with Bowmore as part of his family's heritage, giving these releases a personal dimension most independent bottlings lack.

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There is something about a young Bowmore on a pure bourbon cask that feels like opening a window towards Loch Indaal on an early summer morning — salt air, a little smoke drifting from the chimneys of the town, and underneath it all a sweetness you hadn't quite expected.

Expert's description

Bowmore 2015/2026 Cadenhead's Original Collection 10 Year is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on bourbon casks and bottled at 46%. Distilled at Bowmore in 2015 and bottled by Cadenhead's in May 2026 for their Original Collection — the series where Scotland's oldest independent bottler showcases distillery character at an accessible strength of 46%, without sherry or wine casks to distract from the spirit itself.

Maturing entirely on bourbon casks, the wood's influence is clear in the glass: mango, pineapple and vanilla come forward, while Bowmore's own maritime, lightly smoky character runs as an undercurrent throughout. The result is an Islay whisky that leans light and fruity rather than dark and heavy — showing a very different side of Bowmore from the heavily sherried expressions one more commonly encounters.

Tasting notes

Nose

Mango, kiwi peel and tropical fruit meet vanilla pod and marzipan, with a gentle undercurrent of candlelight smoke, a trace of peat and just a hint of maritime minerality behind it all.

Palate

Icing sugar and grilled pineapple open things up, quickly followed by a flinty, mineral edge and a touch of oregano that brings a light herbal contrast to the fruit sweetness.

Finish

Cinnamon sticks and soft smoke with a trace of cassia bark pull it into a medium-length, spiced finish with fruit lingering in the background.

Specifications

Name: Bowmore 2015/2026 Cadenhead's Original Collection 10 Year
Distillery: Bowmore
Bottler: Cadenhead's
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
Distilled: 2015
Bottled: May 2026
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Series: Cadenhead's Original Collection

Flavour profile

Smoky · Fruity · Tropical · Spiced · Soft · Maritime

Did you know?

Bowmore is Islay's oldest active distillery, founded in 1779, and still operates its own floor maltings — something only a handful of Scottish distilleries can say today.

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On Islay, they say some casks simply wait for the right moment. This is one of them — 18 years in the dark, ready to be celebrated alongside the island's biggest news.

Expert description

Bruichladdich 18 Year Old The Kinship 2023 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Hunter Laing, matured in a single cask and bottled at cask strength, 61.5%.

The whisky is part of Hunter Laing's Kinship series, which in 2023 arrived at its seventh and final edition. The series was created to mark the opening of Hunter Laing's own distillery, Ardnahoe, on Islay, and the name Kinship refers to the closeness Ardnahoe shares with the island's other distilleries. The Bruichladdich bottling is the youngest in the closing edition, which otherwise spans whiskies as old as 33 years from names like Bowmore and Bunnahabhain.

The whisky comes from a single cask and is bottled at its natural cask strength, with no colouring or chill filtration. Only 245 bottles were drawn from this particular cask, making it one of the rarer releases in Hunter Laing's Islay portfolio.

Tasting notes

Nose

Black pepper and caramel, combined with a hint of macerated red berries. A richness runs through it all, hinting at the long maturation.

Palate

Baked apples, nutmeg and a distinct hint of French oak. The cask strength gives a solid bite, but never overpowers the fruit.

Finish

Long and spiced, with a lingering oak warmth that lingers on the palate long after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: 18 Year Old The Kinship 2023
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Bottler: Hunter Laing
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 61.5%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2005
Number of bottles: 245
Edition: The Kinship 2023
EAN: 5060354284032

Flavour profile

Spiced · Fruity · Creamy · Oaky

Investment potential

Medium — this is the final edition in a now-completed and sought-after series from Hunter Laing, with only 245 bottles from a single cask bottled at cask strength. Being the youngest and most accessible bottling in the Kinship series, however, interest is somewhat more muted than for the series' older releases.

Did you know?

The Kinship series was created to celebrate Hunter Laing finally opening its own distillery, Ardnahoe, after decades as a pure independent bottler. Ardnahoe sits on Islay's north-east coast, overlooking the very distilleries many of the series' bottles come from.

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On the label sits the dunes of Kintra, painted by a Danish artist in memory of his grandfather. Behind that story lie 22 years in a single bourbon cask, the one Little Brown Dog called the jewel of their collection.

Expert description

Bruichladdich 2003 Little Brown Dog is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured for 22 years in a bourbon barrel and bottled at 53.6%.

The whisky was distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2025 by independent bottler Little Brown Dog, after more than two decades of maturation in a single bourbon cask. The cask was originally part of a parcel of four, but stood out so distinctly in taste, depth and structure according to the bottler that it was purchased on its own.

Only 140 bottles were drawn from this single cask. Each bottle carries an original label featuring an oil painting by Danish artist Bjarne Helverskov Andersen, depicting the dunes at Kintra on Islay, a personal tribute to the artist's grandson, who sold the cask on to Little Brown Dog.

To preserve its raw, authentic character, the whisky is bottled through a 20-micron filter rather than the finer filters typically used, which can leave natural cask sediment in the bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Warm bourbon notes, vanilla and light caramel, with a hint of ripe fruit and citrus oil.

Palate

Deep, mature and creamy with warm bourbon sweetness, citrus oil and a maritime undercurrent from the Islay coast.

Finish

Long, full-bodied and oily, with a lingering sweetness and a hint of salt.

Specifications

Name: 2003 Little Brown Dog
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Bottler: Little Brown Dog
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 22 years
ABV: 53.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon barrel
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2003
Bottled: 2025
Number of bottles: 140

Flavour profile

Fruity · Creamy · Maritime · Oaky

Investment potential

Medium — with only 140 bottles from a single cask that the bottler itself called the best of a parcel of four, this release is sought after among collectors of Little Brown Dog's Bruichladdich bottlings.

Did you know?

The label carries an original oil painting by Danish artist Bjarne Helverskov Andersen, painted as a tribute to his role as grandfather to the friend who originally sold the cask on to Little Brown Dog.

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Some casks get filled and forgotten for a few years. This one was filled in 2003, held by a German collector for two decades, and finally bottled at full strength, a tribute to patience.

Expert description

Bruichladdich 21 Year Old Private Cask #1352 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in a bourbon hogshead and bottled at 58.1%.

The cask was filled in 2003 and owned by German whisky enthusiast Hans-G. Lund, before being bottled at full cask strength after 21 years. The whisky shows the distillery's unpeated, fruity and maritime style, lifted by more than two decades of maturation in a single cask.

Around 250 bottles were drawn from this single hogshead, making it a rare opportunity to taste a privately owned Bruichladdich bottling of this age.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla, citrus oil, fresh oak and a clean, grainy sweetness, gradually joined by ripe stone fruit, honey and a subtle sea breeze.

Palate

Intense and full yet silky, with vanilla pod, lemon curd, malt and white pepper, carried by a creamy texture and a fine maritime minerality.

Finish

Long, clean and elegant with lingering citrus, sweet malt and a dry, lightly spiced oak elegance.

Specifications

Name: 21 Year Old Private Cask #1352
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 58.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon hogshead
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2003
Number of bottles: 250
Edition: Private Cask #1352

Flavour profile

Fruity · Maritime · Smooth · Oaky

Investment potential

Medium — as a 21-year-old single cask release with only around 250 bottles, Private Cask #1352 is sought after among collectors of Bruichladdich's private bottlings.

Did you know?

The cask behind this whisky was privately owned for two decades by a German whisky enthusiast, a model that lets individuals own and follow their own Bruichladdich cask through the years.

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Bunnahabhain 17 Years The Chess Malt Collection Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 53.4%

The Chess Malt Collection consists of 32 unique bottlings from different distilleries, where each whisky represents a chess piece. The series is carefully composed with 2 kings, 2 queens, 4 bishops, 4 knights, 4 rooks and 16 pawns, divided between the classic black and white colours.

This particular whisky comes from the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay, a site with a proud history dating back to its founding in 1881. Only 272 bottles were produced from this specific cask. The whisky has matured entirely in a sherry hogshead, with no added colour, ensuring a pure and authentic flavour profile.

Distillery: Bunnahabhain Black Rock
Series: The Chess Malt Collection
Vintage: Distilled November 2008 – Bottled November 2025
Age: 17 years
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask type: Sherry Hogshead
Alcohol: 53.4%
Bottles: 272
Un‑chillfiltered
Natural colour
70 cl
Other: Rook A8 – F7 – No. 22 in The Chess Malt Collection series. See the other available releases in the series.

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Bunnahabhain 33 Year Old – The Kinship 2023 – Single Islay Malt Whisky 48.8%

Released in 2023 as part of Hunter Laing’s prestigious Kinship series, this 33-year-old Bunnahabhain is a masterfully matured Islay single malt that radiates elegance, complexity, and coastal character. Aged in a single refill bourbon hogshead and bottled at natural cask strength, it offers a refined balance and a truly memorable experience.

This Bunnahabhain whisky is a harmonious and inviting single malt that showcases finesse and depth of character. On the nose, it is soft, fruity, and elegant, with a fresh and gently sweet profile. Expect bright tropical fruit notes such as pineapple and lime, complemented by delicate hints of red cherry and subtle floral undertones.

On the palate, the whisky unfolds with a beautiful balance between brightness and depth – juicy citrus and ripe berries lead the way, while the signature maritime influence of Bunnahabhain reveals itself through a touch of sea salt and a gentle coastal breeze. Its slightly oily texture provides a pleasant mouthfeel, and the elegant finish lingers with notes of soft oak, gentle spice, and mineral complexity.

This edition is a prime example of Bunnahabhain’s ability to produce rich and refined unpeated whiskies, where the distillery’s clean house style and coastal location shine through with clarity and grace.

Hunter Laing & Co., the force behind The Kinship series, is renowned for their uncompromising approach to quality and their ability to source and bottle some of Scotland’s rarest and most characterful casks. The Kinship series is a tribute to the global whisky community and the regions that have made Scotland famous for its whisky.

Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Bottler: Hunter Laing
Year: 2023
Age: 33 years
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
Cask number/type: Refill Bourbon Hogshead
ABV: 48.8%
Number of bottles: 292
Un-chillfiltered
Natural colour
70 cl
Additional info: Limited edition release from The Kinship Series

Bunnahabhain Moine – a delicious Single Islay Malt Whisky at 46.3%

Bunnahabhain Moine Single Islay Malt Whisky 46.3% is a smoky and characterful Islay whisky with the classic depth Bunnahabhain is known for. The Moine edition combines peat smoke with maritime notes, sweet malt, and a balanced spicy warmth. A rich and authentic Islay experience for whisky fans seeking smoky complexity without sacrificing elegance.

Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Age: N/A
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
Alcohol: 46.3%
Other:
Volume: 70 cl
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The yellow banderole. The older design. A litre of Caol Ila 12 Years from the time before the redesign settled in. For those who remember the original bottle shape – and for those who simply want more Caol Ila per bottle than the standard 70 cl.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 12 Years Old Version (1 litre) is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled by Diageo at 43% in an older bottle design with a yellow banderole.

Caol Ila 12 Years is the distillery's flagship and the backbone of many blended whiskies – including Johnnie Walker. The official 12 Years is bottled at 43% and gives an accessible, fresh and maritimely peated introduction to the distillery's character.

This 1-litre version in the older design is now discontinued – replaced by the modernised design. The contents are unchanged: classic Caol Ila with light, fresh peat smoke, fruity sweetness and maritime saltiness.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and clean. Citrus, seaweed and light peat smoke that is more Islay-nudge than decisively heavy. A touch of sweetness and a little fresh oak.

Palate

Light and fruity. Lemon, green apples and vanilla with Caol Ila's characteristic fresh and maritime smoke. A whisky that is more drinkable than its peated origins might suggest.

Finish

Relatively short and fresh. Smoke and citrus with a light, salty trace.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 12 Years Old Version (1 litre)
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 100 CL
EAN no.: 5000281019390

Flavour profile

Peated · Fruity · Fresh · Maritime · Approachable

Did you know?

Caol Ila produces approximately 6.4 million litres of pure alcohol per year – and the vast majority goes directly to Diageo's blended whiskies such as Johnnie Walker. The official single malt range is only a small share of what is actually distilled.

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The sound between Islay and Jura lies like a ribbon of cold grey water, and right there – facing the current – stands Caol Ila looking across towards Jura's peaks. This is where the smoke comes from: not the heavy, tarry south-island smoke, but something lighter, saltier, more maritime. This bottle is an older release from the 1990s: one litre with a yellow banderole.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 12 Years 1 litre OLD VERSION is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43% – a rare older version in a litre bottle with a yellow banderole from the 1990s.

Caol Ila has produced a 12-year expression under changing owners since the 1970s, and the litre format was for many years part of the classic duty and export bottlings. This version with the yellow banderole is discontinued and carries a design from an era nothing like the current Caol Ila bottle.

The distillery sits at Port Askaig on Islay's north-east coast. It was demolished and rebuilt from scratch in 1972, with production resuming in 1974. Malt comes from Port Ellen Maltings at around 30-35 ppm. Maturation is primarily in refill ex-bourbon casks, giving the light colour and clean, fresh character.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and maritime. Lemon peel and green apple first, then a breath of soft peat smoke, seaweed and a hint of almond oil. Freshly cut grass and a faint sweetness in the background.

Palate

Good oily texture. Elegant smoke, tar and boiled sweets with citrus zest and a salted, briny edge. Pepper and a lightly medicinal note recalling Islay's heritage.

Finish

Long and peppery. The smoke becomes more ashy towards the end, with lemon, lime and a soft sweetness settling in.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 12 Years 1 litre OLD VERSION
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: Refill ex-bourbon casks
Edition: OLD VERSION – yellow banderole, 1990s
EAN no.: 5000281019390

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Fresh · Citrus · Oily

Investment potential

Low to Medium. The discontinued litre bottle with yellow banderole has collector appeal – the format and 1990s design rarely appear on the market.

Did you know?

Caol Ila means 'Sound of Islay' in Gaelic – the very strait the distillery overlooks towards Jura. The view from the still house across the Paps of Jura is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Scottish whisky country.

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Gordon & MacPhail created the Discovery Range as a gateway to three styles: Sherry, Bourbon and Smoky. Caol Ila is – as one would expect – the Smoky expression. Thirteen years and 43% mean the smoke is accessible and rounded rather than edgy.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 13 Years Gordon & MacPhail The Discovery Range is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43% – the third line in the Discovery Range series under the Smoky theme.

Gordon & MacPhail from Elgin is one of the world's oldest and most respected independent bottlers, founded in 1895. The Discovery Range is the company's most approachable series – created to give new and existing whisky drinkers access to classic regional characters without compromise.

Thirteen years in oak casks have given this Caol Ila a rounded, accessible smoke profile. It retains the distillery's maritime signature, but the lower strength of 43% makes it easy to enjoy without adding water.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh maritime notes lead – sea salt and seaweed. Then light peat smoke with citrus and a hint of vanilla.

Palate

Round and accessible. Smoke and freshness dominate with a light fruit sweetness and good balance. Lightly spiced with pepper in the tail.

Finish

Moderate and clean. The smoke recedes gently with a maritime trace and a lightness that invites another sip.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 13 Years Gordon & MacPhail The Discovery Range
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Series: The Discovery Range – Smoky
EAN no.: 5020613067660

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Fresh · Approachable · Lightly Spiced

Did you know?

Since 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has stored casks from distilleries that have long since closed. The company holds some of the world's oldest active whisky stocks and has bottled whiskies over 80 years old.

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1991 was an unusual year to distil Caol Ila. The distillery had just gone through a modernisation and found its current style. Ian MacLeod's Chieftains series took a cask from that year and gave it a finish in German oak – before it was bottled in 2009.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 1991/2009 Chieftains 18 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky finished in a German oak cask (cask no. 91821), bottled at 48% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 288 bottles.

Chieftains is Ian MacLeod's series for independent single-cask bottlings from Scottish distilleries. Ian MacLeod Distillers – owners of Glengoyne and Tamdhu – have had their finger on the pulse of Scotch whisky since 1933.

German oak (Quercus Robur) is denser and gives more tannin and spice than American oak casks. It gives a spicy finish to a Caol Ila that is otherwise elegant and balanced – light tobacco smoke, sea salt, citrus and green apples with well-integrated smoke.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light tobacco smoke, sea salt and seaweed combined with citrus and green apples. A subtle sweet malt profile and a hint of spice from the German oak.

Palate

Soft and complex. Dry mineral smoke and pleasant sweetness in balance. Citrus, pear and lemon complemented by honey, vanilla and a touch of salty liquorice. The smoke is elegant and well-integrated.

Finish

Long, clean and persistent – fresh smoke, light salt and a rounded fruity sweetness blending with malt and spice from the German oak.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 1991/2009 Chieftains 18 Years German Oak Finish
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Ian MacLeod Distillers (Chieftains)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – finished in German oak (cask no. 91821)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 03/1991
Bottled: 05/2009
Number of bottles: 288
Series: Chieftains

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Elegant · Spiced · Complex

Investment potential

High. An 18-year Caol Ila from 1991 with 288 bottles, bottled in 2009, is discontinued and rare. Products from this period are sought by collectors.

Did you know?

Ian MacLeod Distillers is one of Scotland's oldest family-owned whisky companies, founded in 1933. They today own Glengoyne Distillery in the Lowlands and Tamdhu in Speyside – and operate the Chieftains series as a window into other distilleries.

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Nine years is enough time to let peat smoke settle in. Hepburns Choice matured this Caol Ila in bourbon casks and finished it in a sherry butt – the classic double maturation, a reminder that it is the combination of time and wood that shapes a whisky.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2010/2020 Hepburns Choice 9 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon casks with a sherry butt finish, bottled at 46% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 797 bottles.

Hepburns Choice is a series from Langside Distillers – a Scottish independent bottler specialising in single-cask bottlings from a wide range of distilleries. The series is named after the Scottish whisky enthusiast and writer Hepburn.

The bourbon cask provided the structural base – vanilla and fresh fruit – and the sherry butt added the winey layer on top: raisins, honey and spice. Caol Ila's smoke binds it all together.

Tasting notes

Nose

A soft opening with bourbon sweetness and light sherry fruit, behind which Caol Ila's salty smoke and seaweed wait. Raisins and a hint of cloves.

Palate

Soft and balanced. Bourbon vanilla and sherry fruit meet peat smoke and a touch of salt. Good body and light preserved-fruit notes from the finish.

Finish

Medium-length with persistent smoke and a sweet sherry close that slowly fades.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2010/2020 Hepburns Choice 9 Years Sherry Butt Finish
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Langside Distillers (Hepburns Choice)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 9 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks with sherry butt finish
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2020
Number of bottles: 797
Series: Hepburns Choice
EAN no.: 5060354272848

Flavour profile

Peated · Sherry-matured · Fruity · Creamy · Balanced

Did you know?

A sherry butt is the largest standard cask in Scotch whisky tradition, holding around 500 litres against a standard bourbon hogshead's 250. The larger cask gives a slower and more subtle influence, which is why sherry butts are used for finishing.

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Bottled on 12 February 2026 – almost to the day fourteen years after distillation in April 2012. Little Brown Dog chose a refill butt for this batch: the largest standard cask, previously used, working slowly and leaving its subtle signature on the distillate.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2012/2026 Little Brown Dog Spirits 13 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single refill butt cask, bottled at 55.7% without chill filtration and with natural colour.

Little Brown Dog is a British independent bottler with a single-cask focus. For this batch they chose a refill butt – a 500-litre cask that has already matured whisky and retained a discreet, oxidised wood influence. That is where the 'wonderfully oxidised' character described by tasters comes from.

The result is a whisky with classic Caol Ila freshness and salty maritime peat smoke, wrapped in a lightly oxidised, nutty-complex structure. Wax candle, driftwood bonfire and sea urchin are tasting descriptions that reflect a product of precise, controlled craft.

Tasting notes

Nose

Wax candle and a driftwood bonfire on the beach – fresh and light with clear Islay smoke. Toasted grain, a touch of seaweed and a soft, oxidised depth.

Palate

Toasted almonds and sea urchin – umami-rich and salty with smoke and a 'dirty martini' oily character. Complex but harmonious and easy to drink.

Finish

Fresh and lively: gorse, clear saltiness and maritime peat smoke that stays light and elegant throughout.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2012/2026 Little Brown Dog 13 Years Refill Butt
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Little Brown Dog Spirits
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 55.7%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – refill butt
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 10/04/2012
Bottled: 12/02/2026

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Oxidised · Umami-rich · Fresh

Did you know?

A butt is the largest standard cask in Scotch whisky maturation at around 500 litres – double a hogshead. The large cask gives more whisky per wood surface area, ensuring a softer and more gradual wood development over many years.

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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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Little Brown Dog puts a large blue lobster on the label. That is not accidental – the lobster's shell, the salt water and the characteristic coastal scent are exactly what they want to evoke. Caol Ila 2014, a refill Oloroso sherry hogshead and 306 bottles. That is all there is.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog Spirits is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single refill Oloroso sherry hogshead, bottled at 56.3% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 306 bottles.

Little Brown Dog Spirits is a British independent bottler working with single-cask bottlings focused on rarity and character. Each product has its own label reflecting the whisky – the lobster was made for this batch of Caol Ila.

A refill Oloroso sherry hogshead gives a discreet sherry influence – the cask has already been used and carries primarily traces of the dry, nutty Oloroso. Combined with Caol Ila's smoke and saltiness, it creates a complex and layered profile.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sea salt, brine and a subtle smouldering bonfire – a classic coastal feeling. Behind: Lapsang Souchong tea, citrus and bog myrtle. The Oloroso cask gives a soft, nutty depth.

Palate

Complex and umami-rich. Smoke, sea note, lemon and a tea-like bitterness balanced by the cask's residual sweetness. Fig and smoked spice in the background.

Finish

Elegant and long – delicate pepper, sea salt and a peat that fades without haste.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2014 Little Brown Dog Oloroso Sherry Hogshead
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Little Brown Dog Spirits
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: Distilled 2014
ABV: 56.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – refill Oloroso sherry hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2014
Number of bottles: 306

Flavour profile

Peated · Oloroso · Maritime · Umami-rich · Elegant

Did you know?

Bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is a wild plant along Scottish coasts and bogs, releasing an aromatic resin reminiscent of rosemary and bay leaf. It appears in coastal whiskies' aromas without ever being added – it is the air and soil that settle into the cask.

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Thirty-three years in a single cask. While Caol Ila has distilled and matured its well-known 12-year for Diageo's needs, this cask has waited – unseen and untouched – in a refill bourbon hogshead in a Scottish warehouse. Hunter Laing found it in 2023 for The Kinship: the series' most important bottling of the year.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 33 Years The Kinship Series Hunter Laing is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single refill bourbon hogshead, bottled at 44.5% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 300 bottles.

The Kinship is Hunter Laing's prestige series – one expression per distillery, released once a year. For 2023, the choice fell on this 33-year Caol Ila, which according to Hunter Laing itself celebrates the Scottish whisky community and the regions that have made Scotland world-famous.

Three decades in a refill bourbon hogshead give a Caol Ila that has changed: the smoke is there, but softened and integrated over time. This is not the young, salty Caol Ila – it is a mature, layered version of it.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light peat smoke with caramel, stewed fruit and soft beeswax. A salty sea breeze that immediately sets the scene on Islay's coast – but in a slower, more reflective tone than young bottlings.

Palate

Soft and layered. Clear maritime saltiness, seaweed and fresh oysters. The smoke is discreet and elegantly integrated, with room for deeper notes of oak, dried fruit and medicinal herbs. A bottling to spend time with.

Finish

Long, leathery and satisfying. Worn leather, glowing peat embers and a persistent salty close that is in no hurry.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 33 Years The Kinship Series Hunter Laing
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Hunter Laing & Co.
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 33 years
ABV: 44.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – refill bourbon hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 300
Series: The Kinship Series

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Leathery · Layered · Elegant

Investment potential

High. A single-cask bottling at 33 years from a respected bottler with only 300 bottles is rare – and Hunter Laing's Kinship series is sought by collectors worldwide.

Did you know?

Hunter Laing also operates Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay – the island's newest distillery, opened in 2019. Ardnahoe uses traditional worm tubs for condensation, giving a heavier and more complex distillate than modern condensers.

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Elements of Islay Campfire Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54.5%

Elements of Islay Campfire is a limited edition blended malt created for Feis Ile 2025. The whisky is made from three different Islay single malts, though the distilleries behind them are not revealed. The flavour profile is inspired by the classic campfire treat s’mores – toasted marshmallows between chocolate biscuits – and to achieve the smoky, sweet and indulgent character, whisky from Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, first‑fill bourbon casks and toasted new oak has been used.

It is bottled at 54.5% and is neither chill‑filtered nor coloured.

Colour: Deep reddish gold.
Nose: Prominent smoke with ginger, dark chocolate, burnt caramel and candied orange.
Taste: Intense and powerful, carrying many of the same notes as the nose, with a pleasant sweetness and a very long finish.

Distillery: Elixir Distillers
Name: Elements of Islay Campfire
Age: NA
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask type: Sherry + bourbon casks
ABV: 54.5%
Un‑chillfiltered
Natural colour
70 cl
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Elements of Islay Cask Edit Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Elements of Islay Cask Edit is an elegant and modern interpretation of Islay’s smoky whisky style – a blended malt that balances peat smoke, maritime notes and soft fruity nuances in a harmonious and approachable whole. It is bottled at 46% and without chill‑filtration, giving a fuller mouthfeel and a more authentic flavour experience.

Cask Edit is created from a combination of smoky Islay malts that have undergone finishing in both bourbon and sherry casks. This gives the whisky a clean, salty and coastal smoke profile, rounded by sweetness, vanilla and fruit from the casks.

On the nose you find gentle peat smoke, sea spray, light minerality and notes of vanilla, citrus and bright fruit. The palate is well‑balanced: smoke and ash meet caramel, candied fruit, malt and a subtle sherry sweetness. The finish is medium‑long with smoke, oak and a mild spicy warmth.

Distillery: Elixir Distillers
Name: Elements of Islay Cask Edit
Age: NA
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask type: Bourbon & Sherry Casks
Alcohol: 46%
Un‑chillfiltered
Natural Colour
70 cl
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Elements of Islay Cask Edit Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Elements of Islay Cask Edit is an elegant and modern interpretation of Islay’s smoky whisky style – a blended malt that balances peat smoke, maritime notes and soft fruity nuances in a harmonious and approachable whole. It is bottled at 46% and without chill‑filtration, giving a fuller mouthfeel and a more authentic flavour experience.

Cask Edit is created from a combination of smoky Islay malts that have undergone finishing in both bourbon and sherry casks. This gives the whisky a clean, salty and coastal smoke profile, rounded by sweetness, vanilla and fruit from the casks.

On the nose you find gentle peat smoke, sea spray, light minerality and notes of vanilla, citrus and bright fruit. The palate is well‑balanced: smoke and ash meet caramel, candied fruit, malt and a subtle sherry sweetness. The finish is medium‑long with smoke, oak and a mild spicy warmth.

Distillery: Elixir Distillers
Name: Elements of Islay Cask Edit
Age: NA
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask type: Bourbon & Sherry Casks
Alcohol: 46%
Un‑chillfiltered
Natural Colour
70 cl
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