Provenance – Caol Ila 5 Year Old (Islay) 70cl
Brand: Douglas Laing – Provenance Series | Category: Islay Single Malt Scotch | ABV: 46% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 700ml

Smoke Without Apology

Caol Ila 5 Year Old, bottled under Douglas Laing’s Provenance series, is peat in its purest, youngest, and most unapologetic form. Drawn from a single refill hogshead and bottled at 46% ABV, this is a raw blast of Islay spirit, smoky, saline, and gloriously unfiltered. It’s not subtle. It’s not gentle. And that’s exactly why it works.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Bonfire smoke, sea spray, and smouldering driftwood lead the charge. Beneath it, you’ll find lemon peel, iodine, and sweet malt trying to push through the haze.

Palate:
Brash, oily, and vibrant. Charred citrus, black pepper, brine, and peat ash power across the tongue. A flash of vanilla and honey tries to peek through the smoke but this dram belongs to the fire.

Finish:
Long, dry, and smoky. Hints of tarred rope, wet oak, and sea salt linger long after the last sip. Like the end of a storm on the Skye-facing coast.

Production Details

Distilled at Caol Ila, Islay’s powerhouse of peat and precision, this 5-year-old single malt was drawn from a single refill hogshead and bottled as part of Douglas Laing’s Provenance range which showcases regional styles in their most honest form. No chill filtration. No added color. Just fire and fog, straight from the cask.

Perfect For

Peat lovers seeking intensity. Fans of coastal whisky who want a snapshot of Caol Ila’s spirit before the oak smooths it out. Perfect for Islay completists, smoky dram challenges, or side-by-side comparisons with older Caol Ila expressions.

Expert Notes

While only 5 years old, this Caol Ila offers a remarkable depth of character, thanks to the distillery’s clean, robust spirit and the sea-soaked influence of Islay maturation. Young, yes but ferociously articulate.

Customer Reviews

"Straight-up smoke and salt. This dram doesn’t ask — it commands." — Marco, BGC

"Like licking a charcoal-grilled lemon by the sea — in the best possible way." — Andie, Cebu

"Proof that age is irrelevant when the cask and the coast do the talking." — Noel, QC

Interesting Fact

Despite its power, Caol Ila’s spirit is actually one of the lightest on Islay which makes it an ideal canvas for explosive peat and coastal cask character at younger ages. This 5-year-old proves exactly why it’s a favorite among independent bottlers.

Serving Suggestions

Serve neat for the full Islay hit. Add a few drops of water to unlock lemon oil and sweet barley beneath the smoke. Ideal with smoked mussels, oysters, or a slab of dark chocolate with sea salt.

Distillery Background

Perched on the rugged east coast of Islay, Caol Ila has been quietly powering the smoky side of Scotch since 1846. Known for its balance of peat, salt, and citrus, it’s a distillery revered by blenders and adored by connoisseurs. This Provenance 5 Year Old is a rare look at Caol Ila in its rawest form, young, wild, and beautifully intense.