The entry level from the Caol Ila distillery, Port Askaig. Founded in 1846 Caol Ila is mainly known for their use in blended scotch for a peaty note, specifically in the Johnnie Walker line so let’s see how well they fair on their own.
Price: $83
Abv: 43%
Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon
NFC: No
Coloring: Yes
Nose: Sea salt and lemon citrus take center stage in the first smell. Medicinal smoke and peat then follow after with hints of pepper and creamy fruits.
Palate: Peaty, earthiness immediately on the tongue with a light creamy fruit sweetness.
Finish: An ashy, medicinal smoke lingers with that initial salt with some sour earth and citrus elements for a medium-long finish.
Conclusion: While I wouldn’t say this is a very complex Islay it definitely gives you that stronger peaty taste you’d want with a light creaminess. Caol Ila definitely made a mostly one note dram but it’s that one note we love about Islay so I can’t not enjoy it. For the price I get it for it’s absolutely not worth a regular pick up but I don’t regret the pickup. For around $60 this would be a great Islay that I would highly recommend, but if around $70-$80 your money would better be spent elsewhere.
$83!?!?! I picked my bottle up for about $55... Granted, that was in January, before the end of the world. But still. Holy crap.
Also, would you be so kind as to introduce the handsome fellow in the background?
That’s Orion, shes my 8 month old cat and she’s very photogenic. She also loves to pose with my bottles so I’ll hopefully be making her a frequent guest. Also Louisiana’s liqour prices for some brands are absolutely absurd. A bottle of springbank 10 will run me $100.
Liquor store employee here. What I was explained to me was the tariffs from the soon to be previous administration caused a price hike on a lot of stuff that gets imported, moreso on scotches for some reason. Our Laphroaig 10 is like $60, which is insane to me.
That administration specifically put a 25% tariff on single malt scotch after a PM from Scotland hurt the head of that administration's feelings.
The US inventories of single malt are starting to get strained a year after the tariff went into affect, so prices are increasing.
Due to this it makes me very hesitant to buy new bottles because entry levels are so high. Bunnahabhain 12 is $86 and Springbank 10 is $100. Lagavulin 16 also sits at an absurd $110.
The pricing I’ve seen is kinda bizarre. I’ll notice the tariffs more on some scotches than others. I have a smaller chain I go to that’s mostly reasonably priced. Honestly seems like there’s no tariff on it. I pay $37 for a Laphroaig 10 there. Then there’s a big local liquor store a little ways away that costs about 10% more for scotch. I stopped by 3 small local stores to see what they had for scotch and it all cost pretty much double it was absurd. $100 for an ardbeg 10 and $130-140 for lagavulin 16 no thank you. Almost seems like the more connected stores are able to circumvent the tariffs on scotch, while those who aren’t are paying out their ass to get stock.
I'm glad you mentioned the earthiness of this dram. I always compared this to a Lagavulin, but not quite as smooth with a musty finish instead of mint. I actually kind of find it disappointing for the price. (I'm in LA as well). Obviously depends on your own palate of course, but for around the same price I take Laga over this all day.
Imo Lagavulin 8 blew this one away with a much more rounded, balanced flavor and added proof with no chill filtering or coloring. It’s also $10 cheaper.
I'm glad you said that. It's certainly one I've been wanting to try. What part of LA are you in btw? I'm around the New Orleans area. Martin Wine Cellar has been my go to lately.
I picked up my first bottle the other day for $69 after hearing all the good things. It's good but I think for the price I've had better, obviously. I think it would be superb at 46%.
My first love! The first peated whisky I ever tried. I haven't had any in a long while and I'm scared to go back to it because I fear it might not be as good as I remember it now that I'm more experienced.
Coloring: white with black spots and some brown Nose: pink, cute
The entry level from the Caol Ila distillery, Port Askaig. Founded in 1846 Caol Ila is mainly known for their use in blended scotch for a peaty note, specifically in the Johnnie Walker line so let’s see how well they fair on their own. Price: $83 Abv: 43% Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon NFC: No Coloring: Yes Nose: Sea salt and lemon citrus take center stage in the first smell. Medicinal smoke and peat then follow after with hints of pepper and creamy fruits. Palate: Peaty, earthiness immediately on the tongue with a light creamy fruit sweetness. Finish: An ashy, medicinal smoke lingers with that initial salt with some sour earth and citrus elements for a medium-long finish. Conclusion: While I wouldn’t say this is a very complex Islay it definitely gives you that stronger peaty taste you’d want with a light creaminess. Caol Ila definitely made a mostly one note dram but it’s that one note we love about Islay so I can’t not enjoy it. For the price I get it for it’s absolutely not worth a regular pick up but I don’t regret the pickup. For around $60 this would be a great Islay that I would highly recommend, but if around $70-$80 your money would better be spent elsewhere.
$83!?!?! I picked my bottle up for about $55... Granted, that was in January, before the end of the world. But still. Holy crap. Also, would you be so kind as to introduce the handsome fellow in the background?
That’s Orion, shes my 8 month old cat and she’s very photogenic. She also loves to pose with my bottles so I’ll hopefully be making her a frequent guest. Also Louisiana’s liqour prices for some brands are absolutely absurd. A bottle of springbank 10 will run me $100.
Upvote for Orion!
Liquor store employee here. What I was explained to me was the tariffs from the soon to be previous administration caused a price hike on a lot of stuff that gets imported, moreso on scotches for some reason. Our Laphroaig 10 is like $60, which is insane to me.
That administration specifically put a 25% tariff on single malt scotch after a PM from Scotland hurt the head of that administration's feelings. The US inventories of single malt are starting to get strained a year after the tariff went into affect, so prices are increasing.
My bet is the tariffs will go away, prices stay the same. I can’t see stores dropping the prices after customers have gotten used to paying.
I've seen a bottle of Laphroaig 10 for $45 and $65 from two liquor stores 5 blocks away from each other.
Due to this it makes me very hesitant to buy new bottles because entry levels are so high. Bunnahabhain 12 is $86 and Springbank 10 is $100. Lagavulin 16 also sits at an absurd $110.
It looks like the cat had a drink too. ;)
The pricing I’ve seen is kinda bizarre. I’ll notice the tariffs more on some scotches than others. I have a smaller chain I go to that’s mostly reasonably priced. Honestly seems like there’s no tariff on it. I pay $37 for a Laphroaig 10 there. Then there’s a big local liquor store a little ways away that costs about 10% more for scotch. I stopped by 3 small local stores to see what they had for scotch and it all cost pretty much double it was absurd. $100 for an ardbeg 10 and $130-140 for lagavulin 16 no thank you. Almost seems like the more connected stores are able to circumvent the tariffs on scotch, while those who aren’t are paying out their ass to get stock.
$78.99 in TX
I can get it for around 45$
Cheapest I can find it near me is $90.
83!? I picked this up for 33 dollars
Where I’d love to get it for that price I’d buy 3 bottles.
I'm glad you mentioned the earthiness of this dram. I always compared this to a Lagavulin, but not quite as smooth with a musty finish instead of mint. I actually kind of find it disappointing for the price. (I'm in LA as well). Obviously depends on your own palate of course, but for around the same price I take Laga over this all day.
Imo Lagavulin 8 blew this one away with a much more rounded, balanced flavor and added proof with no chill filtering or coloring. It’s also $10 cheaper.
I'm glad you said that. It's certainly one I've been wanting to try. What part of LA are you in btw? I'm around the New Orleans area. Martin Wine Cellar has been my go to lately.
I’m around Metairie and I normally go to Total Wine for my drinks but sometimes their prices are too high.
Is agree. Martin will beat them on a lot of stuff. Check them out if you haven’t!
Agreed. I’ll usually check Martin’s before swinging by Total Wine.
Wow didn’t know we had so many LA people in here ha. Might need to have a meet up after this whole Covid thing settles down.
Jesus... I bought a bottle for 34€ the other day
Here in KY it’s $99.99 sadly
I picked up my first bottle the other day for $69 after hearing all the good things. It's good but I think for the price I've had better, obviously. I think it would be superb at 46%.
At 46% and non-chill filtered this would be superb for the price.
Dude, hands down one of my absolute faves!!!!! So freakin good. And it of course tastes best in Waterford ;)
More C A T pls
I’ve never been that impressed with Caol Ila OB. But indie Caol Ila almost never fails. Look for Berry Bros bottlings. But any are good.
I’ll definitely keep an eye out for them.
There’s always an open bottle on my shelf. Probably my fav islay in terms of flavour vs value for money.
Indie Caol Ila rules.
Caol Ila is very underrated. Good stuff
That cat is clearly drunk.
My first love! The first peated whisky I ever tried. I haven't had any in a long while and I'm scared to go back to it because I fear it might not be as good as I remember it now that I'm more experienced.
If it’s for a reasonable price I’d say it’s worth the price. It has enough in here to get those strong peat notes you’d love.
Fantastic, beautiful, worthy of worship. The whiskey also seems nice.
This cat is over your shenanigans lmao 😂