Caol Ila 25-year-old

Overall rating
89.57/100
ratings
156
Whiskybase ID
WB462
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottling series
Diageo Special Releases 2005
Vintage
1979
Bottled
2005
Stated Age
25 years
Cask Type
Refill American and European Oak
Number of bottles
6000
Strength
58.4 %
Size
700 ml
Bottle code
L5235CM000
Barcode
5000281019574
Added on
08 oct 2007 6:43 pm
UncoloredNon-chill FilteredCask Strength
Overall rating
89.57/100
ratings
156

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Whisky reviews for Caol Ila 25-year-old

44 users have left 47 reviews for this whisky. Average rating is 89.57 points.

Read the reviews
  1. Thermidor scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    I'm partial to these naked old Caol Ilas. They work no matter the decade they were distilled. In fact I look forward to being able to taste over 20yo ones from 2000s distillate.

    Tasted with Ben Nevis cask 1368 (91 pts.), Glen Elgin 23yo 1995 Cadenhead 50,6% (88), Collectivum XXVIII blend (88), and Glengoyne 28yo Brass Spirit Safe (90).

    Thanks to GIORGOS for the sample!
    • Nose
      That lovely smoked fish note I've come to expect from naked CIs from the late '70s and early '80s, and some lemon in the background. A greasy, bold smoke that's heavier than modern CI. A strong peater, without being at all cartoonish.
    • Taste
      By nose I was already thinking of a very high score, but the mouth draws it down a bit. Neat it's a perfect - if even peatier than usual - example of a CI that's been allowed to age long with the cask influence pared down to a backing instrument, rather than forcing heavier oak on it where none is required. After all, CI is apparently an immortal distillate that can in suitable conditions be aged past all reason while remaining spry and powerful, so beating it to death with heavy wood that mutes the distillate and masks its change is a bit daft. Sadly even one teaspoon of water makes this dram a little lackluster, so that a Port Askaig 25yo (similar style, but bottled 45,8%) overtakes it in the fullness and the firmness of its body.
    • Finish
      Slowly receeding, long, mostly on marine peat tastes.

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