Caledonian 1987/2018 31 years old Signatory Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50,2% 

Cambus 1988 The Clan Denny 25 Year Old Single Grain Whisky 58.1%

Cambus 1988 is a classic, mature single grain from one of Scotland’s most respected closed distilleries. For many years, Cambus was known for producing silky‑smooth grain whisky for the blending industry, but the rare single cask bottlings reveal just how elegant and complex grain whisky can become after long ageing.

This release spent 25 years in a refill hogshead, allowing the cask to support rather than dominate the spirit. The result is a whisky where the natural sweetness and depth of the distillate shine through. Bottled at cask strength, 58.1%, it preserves all the concentrated aromas developed over decades of maturation.

On the nose, you’ll find classic Cambus notes: vanilla, crème caramel, light coconut, ripe pears and a soft, creamy sweetness. There is also a touch of fresh oak and gentle spice from the long time in wood. The palate is full and rounded with flavours of toffee, vanilla pod, honey, citrus oil and a subtle grain‑driven elegance that only well‑aged single grain can deliver. The finish is long, warm and silky with hints of fudge, delicate spice and a pleasant dryness from the hogshead.

Cambus 1988 The Clan Denny 25 Year Old is a whisky for those who appreciate maturity, finesse and the unique lightness that only old grain whisky can offer. A rare bottle from a distillery long closed, and one that will only become more sought‑after with time.

Distillery: Cambus
Bottler: The Clan Denny – Hunter Hamilton
Vintage: 1988
Age: 25 years
Type: Single Grain Whisky
Cask number/type: Cask No. DH10595, refill hogshead
ABV: 58.1%
Un‑chillfiltered
Natural Colour
70 cl

Distillery: Cambus
Bottler: The Cooper’s Choice​
Age: 32 Years
Distilled: September 1991​ | Bottled: January 2024​
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky​
Region: Lowland​
Cask Type: Bourbon
Cask Number: 79880
ABV: 47.5%​
Bottles Produced: 264​
Un-chillfiltered​
Natural Colour​
70 cl​

Not many people are left who remember Cambus actually running. The distillery closed in 1993, and all that's left now are the casks, quietly holding onto whatever they still have to say.

Expert's Description of Cambus 1991 Woodrow's of Edinburgh 34 Year Old

This bottle is part of the Curators Cut Edition from Woodrow's of Edinburgh, an independent bottler based in Leith. The spirit was distilled on the 29th of November 1991 at Cambus, one of Scotland's major Lowland grain distilleries, which shut its doors for good in 1993. Today the old site has been reduced to a cooperage for Diageo, no more distilling, just cask repair.

34 years on cask 103260A, a 2nd fill puncheon, before being bottled on the 14th of April 2026. That's a long time for a grain whisky to sit, but it's exactly what makes this one worth paying attention to: the cask has had plenty of time to work without ever drowning out the light, elegant character grain whisky is known for. Only 275 bottles came from it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla fudge and white chocolate come first, followed by caramelised sugar and ripe pear. Toasted almonds sit somewhere in the background, along with a touch of oak that never overstays its welcome.

Palate

Creamy, almost silky on the tongue. Toffee and vanilla custard move into baked apples and pears, while a light touch of oak keeps everything tight and balanced.

Finish

Long and gentle. Vanilla custard and light oak linger alongside soft fruit notes, sweet without ever becoming heavy.

Specifications

Name: Cambus 1991 Woodrow's of Edinburgh 34 Year Old
Distillery: Cambus
Bottler: Woodrow's of Edinburgh
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 34 Years
ABV: 52%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: 2nd Fill Puncheon, Cask 103260A
Bottled: 14 April 2026
Number of Bottles: 275
Edition: Curators Cut Edition

Flavour Profile

Creamy · Fruity · Soft · Vanilla-Forward · Toffee

Investment Potential

Medium. Cambus is a closed distillery, and demand for old grain whisky from distilleries that no longer exist has been rising. With only 275 bottles from this cask, it's a genuinely limited release.

Did You Know?

Cambus played a real part in whether grain whisky was even allowed to be called whisky at all. Around 1900, the distilleries behind DCL ran a public campaign to have grain spirit legally recognised as whisky, and Cambus was one of the distilleries at the front of that fight.

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Cameronbridge 1992/2025 Cadenhead’s Original Collection 33 Years Single Grain Scotch Whisky 70 cl 42.7%

Europe's largest grain distillery hides bottles that most people never lay eyes on. Cameronbridge churns out spirit on an industrial scale for Diageo's blends, but every once in a while a single cask slips free and gets to sit still for more than three decades. This is one of those casks.

The expert's description of Cameronbridge 33 Year Old 42.7% Cadenhead's Original Collection

Tasting Notes

Nose

Palate

Finish

Specifications

Flavour Profile

Did you know?

Cameronbridge Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest grain distilleries, presents an expressive and complex single grain Scotch whisky with this release: Cameronbridge 2009/2025 Signatory Vintage 16 Year Old from the 100 Proof Edition #3 series. It was distilled in 2009 and matured for 16 years in a combination of first- and second-fill Oloroso sherry butts before being bottled in 2025 at a notable alcohol strength of 57.1%. The whisky is non-chillfiltered and retains its natural colour, offering an authentic and unadulterated expression of its character.

The nose features warm and sweet notes of butterscotch and maple syrup, accompanied by a delicate floral elegance. The palate is soft and creamy, with rich nuances of chocolate cake, sultana raisins, and roasted nuts. The sherry-matured profile adds a velvety sweetness and remarkable depth to the flavour, making it a distinctive dram for those who appreciate grain whisky with personality and power.

Cameronbridge has earned a reputation throughout its long history for producing smooth and approachable grain whiskies, and this edition raises the bar by combining tradition with intensive maturation and high strength. The result is a whisky that appeals to both collectors and adventurous tasters, showcasing the distillery’s ability to craft something exceptional within the genre. A whisky that not only reflects Cameronbridge’s heritage but also demonstrates the potential of long maturation and sherry influence in the world of grain whisky.

Signatory’s 100 Proof series is an exclusive collection of high-quality single grain whiskies. This series is known for offering whiskies at 100 proof, equivalent to 57.1% alcohol by volume. Each whisky in this series is handpicked by experts from the Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company.

Distillery: Cameronbridge
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Series: 100 Proof
Vintage: Distilled: 2009 Bottled: 20/02/2025
Age: 16 years
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Cask number/type: Refill Oloroso Sherry Butts
ABV: 57.1%
Un-chillfiltered
Natural Colour
70 cl
Other: 100 Proof Edition #3 – Listen to our podcast:

Most people know Campbeltown Loch as the easy introduction to the region. The 21 year old is something else entirely - a mature, age-stated blend where time has been allowed to shape both malt and grain into something deeper.

Expert Description

Campbeltown Loch 21 Year Old is a Campbeltown Blended Scotch Whisky composed of up to 60% single malt whisky and the remainder grain whisky, all a minimum of 21 years old, and bottled at 46%.

Where the younger Campbeltown Loch is a blended malt with no grain content, the 21 year old is a classic blended whisky carrying a substantial share of Springbank in its malt component. The long age guarantee across every component gives it a maturity and roundness that clearly sets it apart from the range's younger expressions.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Beeswax and graphite meet crisp apples, with ripe peaches sitting deep beneath the surface.

Palate

Complex and spiced, with ginger biscuits, cinnamon and orange peel unfolding across the palate.

Finish

Soft and spiced, with a lingering sweetness of orange and cinnamon that slowly fades.

Specifications

Name: Campbeltown Loch 21 Year Old
Bottler: J&A Mitchell & Co
Region/Country: Campbeltown, Scotland
Type: Campbeltown Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Spicy · Creamy · Maritime

Did You Know?

Campbeltown Loch 21 Year Old contains a substantial share of Springbank malt, giving it a depth and oily character usually only associated with the distillery's own single malts.

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Where the Kintyre peninsula runs into the sea and the waves still roll into Campbeltown Loch, the story of Scotland's smallest and once most famous whisky region lives on. This bottle gathers that story into a single glass - the three distilleries still keeping Campbeltown alive.

Expert Description

Campbeltown Loch is a Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky composed of single malt whisky from all three of the region's distilleries and bottled at 46%.

Behind the bottle stands J&A Mitchell & Co, the owners of Springbank Distillery, who blend malt from Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle into a shared tribute to Campbeltown. Springbank itself contributes three different styles to the overall character - the lighter Hazelburn, the medium-peated Springbank and the heavily peated Longrow - matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. The result is a blend that gathers the region's maritime salinity, cask fruit and a whisper of smoke into one glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft peach and apricot meet honey and a touch of citrus zest, while a hint of salty soot lingers in the background.

Palate

Oily in texture with herbaceous notes creeping in beneath sweet vanilla caramel and juicy baked fruit. Salty sea spray and baking spice keep it balanced, with a whisper of peat poking through.

Finish

Long and warming, with smoked almonds, oak and a maritime salinity that never quite lets go - a dry, earthy close.

Specifications

Name: Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottler: J&A Mitchell & Co
Region/Country: Campbeltown, Scotland
Type: Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon and sherry casks
EAN no.: 610854005016

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Fruity · Spicy · Lightly peated

Did You Know?

Campbeltown once housed more than 30 distilleries and was known as the whisky capital of the world - today only Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle remain, and Campbeltown Loch is the only blend to gather malt from all three.

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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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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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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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In December 2009, new make spirit ran into a bourbon hogshead at Caol Ila. The cask sat for thirteen years, and when Signatory Vintage opened it again in May 2023, only 276 bottles came out. That kind of bottling is a reminder that whisky is time.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a single bourbon hogshead (cask no. 322858), bottled at cask strength 57.5% without chill filtration and with natural colour. 276 bottles.

Signatory Vintage is one of Scotland's most experienced independent bottlers and has operated Edradour Distillery since 2002. The Cask Strength Collection is the purest line – single casks bottled directly without dilution. 276 bottles is all this cask gave.

Caol Ila supplies its distillate primarily to Diageo's blends, which is precisely why single-cask bottlings like this are rare and sought after. Thirteen years in bourbon oak have produced a Caol Ila with more concentration and depth than the official range.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sea salt and seaweed open, followed by vanilla and honey from the bourbon wood. Smoky toffee and citrus peel underline the age.

Palate

Rich and concentrated. Smoke, salty liquorice and fruity sweetness – apricot and papaya – alternate with soft oak. Cask strength calls for a drop of water.

Finish

Long and warming. Smoke persists with dried herbs and a hint of dark chocolate in the tail.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 Years
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 57.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – bourbon hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 08/12/2009
Bottled: 24/05/2023
Number of bottles: 276
Series: Cask Strength Collection
EAN no.: 5021944123209

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Toffee · Fruity · Powerful

Did you know?

Since 1988, Signatory Vintage has bottled over 4,000 single casks from more than 20 Scottish distilleries. They have owned Edradour – the smallest distillery in the Scottish Highlands – since 2002.

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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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Caol Ila's peat smoke and the dried-fruit sweetness of a sherry butt pull in different directions – but they find each other. Hunter Laing selected this Oloroso sherry butt for the Old Malt Cask series, and after 13 years the result shows exactly what a well-matched cask marriage can produce.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2010/2023 Old Malt Cask 13 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single Oloroso sherry butt, bottled at 50% without chill filtration and with natural colour.

Hunter Laing & Co. is one of Scotland's most respected independent whisky families, with roots in Glasgow since 1949. Old Malt Cask is the company's classic series – single casks, natural colour, always at 50%. This cask yielded 769 bottles, distilled in August 2010 and bottled in October 2023.

Caol Ila on an Oloroso sherry butt is not the obvious choice – the distillery uses primarily bourbon casks for its official range. The sherry cask adds a layer of dried fruit and chocolate that softens the smoke and brings winey depth.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sherry-dried fruit – raisins and plums – meets Caol Ila's typical salty smoke. A hint of dark chocolate in the background.

Palate

Soft and full. Smoke is present but tamed by the sherry cask. Dried figs, cloves and salted-caramel sweetness make it complex without heaviness.

Finish

Moderately long. Smoke fades gently with dried fruit and a light touch of bitter dark chocolate at the end.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2010/2023 Old Malt Cask 13 Years
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Hunter Laing & Co.
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – Oloroso sherry butt
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: August 2010
Bottled: October 2023
Number of bottles: 769
Series: Old Malt Cask
EAN no.: 5060354285510

Flavour profile

Peated · Sherry-matured · Fruity · Creamy · Spiced

Did you know?

Hunter Laing & Co. is one of the few independent bottling families in Scotland remaining under the same family ownership since its founding. The company also operates Ardnahoe Distillery – Islay's newest distillery, opened in 2019.

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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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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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Most people associate Caol Ila with bourbon or sherry. Lady of the Glen chose an ex-white wine cask – and it turns out Islay smoke handles itself surprisingly well alongside the light, fresh wine residue. 307 bottles from cask no. 311196.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2012/2021 Lady of the Glen 9 Years is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single ex-white wine cask (no. 311196), bottled at cask strength 58.3% without chill filtration and with natural colour.

Lady of the Glen is an Edinburgh-based independent bottler founded by Gregor Hannah. The philosophy is single cask, cask strength and no compromises. White wine casks are unusual in whisky – lighter and fresher than sherry casks, they add a delicate fruitiness rather than vinous weight.

Nine years in a white wine cask from 2012 gives a Caol Ila that keeps its maritime smoke but adds an unexpected freshness and fruitiness. 307 bottles is all that exists.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and surprising – light citrus fruit and white flowers meet Caol Ila's salty smoke. A clear contrast between the heavy distillate and the light cask.

Palate

Smoke and freshness in balance. Citrus, fresh pear and maritime notes with good body. The white wine cask gives unexpected lightness without removing Caol Ila's signature.

Finish

Medium-length with fresh smoke and a clean, lightly winey note at the end. Cleaner and lighter than most Caol Ila bottlings.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2012/2021 Lady of the Glen 9 Years
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Lady of the Glen
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 9 years
ABV: 58.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single cask – ex-white wine cask
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 2021
Number of bottles: 307

Flavour profile

Peated · Fresh · Fruity · Maritime · Light

Did you know?

Lady of the Glen is named after the ballad poem 'The Lady of the Lake' by Sir Walter Scott from 1810 – a tribute to Scotland and its nature. The bottler works exclusively with single cask and cask strength.

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Signatory Vintage's Un-Chillfiltered Collection is about letting the whisky stand on its own. Ten years in a hogshead, 46% and no chill filtration. It has one chance to impress – and it uses it.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 2012/2022 Signatory Vintage 10 Years The Un-Chillfiltered Collection is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in hogshead casks, bottled at 46% without chill filtration and with natural colour.

Signatory Vintage's Un-Chillfiltered Collection presents selected casks from Scottish distilleries at an accessible strength without compromise on bottling principles. Ten years in a hogshead gives a Caol Ila with more depth than young bottlings without losing the characteristic freshness.

Compared to the 9-year (R65), this is one year older – which in practice gives a little more oak depth and a calmer, more integrated smoke. The profile is otherwise the same classic Caol Ila: salty, maritime and balanced.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sea salt, light peat smoke and citrus with a soft vanilla undertone. A hint of seaweed and fresh oak.

Palate

Balanced and clean. Smoke, maritime notes, honey and a mild maltiness. Good body for 46% – well-made and accessible.

Finish

Moderate and fresh. Citrus, salt and a discreet smoke that fades slowly.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2012/2022 Signatory Vintage 10 Years The Un-Chillfiltered Collection
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogsheads
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 2022
EAN no.: 5021944120420

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Fresh · Balanced · Approachable

Did you know?

Signatory Vintage owns Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry, Perthshire – one of Scotland's smallest distilleries. It still runs by hand and produces fewer than 12 casks a week, while Signatory bottles many times more from external distilleries.

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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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