Caol Ila 17 Year Old – Unpeated Malt, 70cl
Brand: Caol Ila | Category: Islay Single Malt Scotch (Unpeated) | ABV: 55.9% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 70cl

Intro/Heritage:
From a distillery renowned for sea-soaked smoke comes a rare twist in the tale, Caol Ila, unpeated. This 17-year-old limited edition offers a fascinating look at the distillery’s spirit in its purest form: no peat, no disguise, just structure, fruit, and coastal complexity. It’s Caol Ila through a new lens, unexpected, unforgettable, and bottled at cask strength for full impact.

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Bright and maritime. Fresh orchard fruit, lemon zest, and barley sugar float above sea spray, salted almond, and a whisper of white pepper.
Palate: Rich, oily, and vibrant. Green apple, honeyed malt, and toasted cereal are layered with mineral crispness and warm oak spice.
Finish: Long and drying. A gentle fade of citrus, ginger, and coastal brine leaves a trail of purity and quiet power.

Production Details:
Distilled using unpeated malted barley, a rare practice for Caol Ila and matured for 17 years in a mix of refill American oak and rejuvenated casks. Bottled at natural cask strength of 55.9%, non-chill filtered and uncolored, this release is part of Diageo’s Special Releases series, making it both collectible and compelling.

Perfect For:
A whisky for the curious. Ideal for Islay lovers who want to taste the distillery behind the smoke, or Highland fans looking for a coastal malt with clean intensity. Best enjoyed when you're in the mood for something familiar but just left of center.

Expert Notes:
Praised by critics for its structural clarity and bright coastal character, this expression proves Caol Ila is more than its peat. At 17 years old and full proof, it’s a rare glimpse into the soul of a distillery known for shadows, shown here in full light.

Customer Reviews:
🗨️ “Clean, vibrant, and incredibly layered. Caol Ila’s spirit shines without the smoke.”
🗨️ “Unpeated, but unmistakably Islay. A brilliant, briny surprise.”
🗨️ “Elegant at high proof — fruit, malt, and sea in perfect sync.”

Interesting Fact:
Caol Ila only produces unpeated malt for a few weeks each year, originally intended for blending. But in rare cases like this, it’s bottled solo and the result is a revelation.

Serving Suggestions:
Sip neat in a tulip glass to explore its full textural range. Add a few drops of water to unlock layers of citrus, mineral, and malt sweetness. Pair with oysters, cured ham, or lemon shortbread to highlight its coastal and fruity profile.

Distillery Background:
Caol Ila, built in 1846 on Islay’s northeastern shore, is known for its maritime peated whiskies but its unpeated expressions reveal a hidden elegance. With tall stills and a clean fermentation style, Caol Ila produces one of the most versatile spirits on the island, and this rare bottling lets that clarity take center stage.