James Eadie is a Worcestershire-based independent bottler with a single aim: to find casks that say something interesting. For this batch of Caol Ila from 2012, they chose refill bourbon casks and made a small batch – a blended vatting delivering more consistency than a single cask.
Expert's description
Caol Ila 2012/2020 James Eadie 8 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in refill bourbon casks (small batch), bottled at 46% without chill filtration and with natural colour.
James Eadie is an independent bottler from Worcestershire, England, founded by Tristan Eadie as a revival of the family's historic whisky trade from the 19th century. Their small batch approach combines casks for consistency and accessibility over single-cask variation.
Refill bourbon casks give a discreet wood influence that lets the distillate's own character come through. For Caol Ila at 8 years, that means clean, fresh and maritime smoke – toffee, sea mist and green apples.
Tasting notes
Nose
Toffee, sea mist and green apples – fresh and direct with a clear note of Caol Ila's peat smoke. No heavy wood influence, just the distillate's own voice.
Palate
Light and fresh. Smoke, fresh citrus and a soft toffee sweetness. Good balance for the age – accessible and clean.
Finish
Relatively short but clean. Smoke and salt with a fresh, green close.
Specifications
Name: Caol Ila 2012/2020 James Eadie 8 Years
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: James Eadie
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill bourbon casks (small batch)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 2020
EAN no.: 5060485430926
Flavour profile
Peated · Fresh · Fruity · Toffee · Maritime
Did you know?
James Eadie's ancestor William Eadie ran one of London's most respected whisky merchants in the 19th century. Tristan Eadie revived the company name in 2020 as a tribute to the family's heritage.
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