90 points - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011

Caol Ila is a lively whisky, peaty and full in flavor, without being as intense as its more famous counterparts. Its availability is limited, and with a name that is difficult to pronounce, Caol Ila has remained an almost secret Islay malt. The name - pronounced ’culleela’ is gaelic for ’Sound of Islay’. The distillery is appropriately hidden in a cove near Port Askaig, overlooking the Sound of Islay, across which the ferry chugs to the nearby island of Jura.

This delicious and well-made single malt is sweet with light flavored smokiness. Balanced smoke and salt, fresh light style with a lingering charred-dry finish.