Caol Ila
Discover Caol Ila
Discover Caol Ila
Caol Ila was first established on the Isle of Islay in 1846, when steam ships would deliver supplies before returning to the mainland with a precious cargo of the finished product.
The distillery was demolished and rebuilt in the early 1970s and today remains the biggest on the island.
Caol Ila is renowned for its oily texture and light-bodied, peaty flavour with sweet notes of seaweed and a rich smokiness. The distillery occasionally releases unpeated editions which provide a Highland style whisky with a more floral profile.
Caol Ila Distillery Production
The distillery takes full advantage of its surrounding area. The barley is malted just down the road at Port Ellen, while fresh spring water that rises from the limestone at Lock nam Ban provides the whisky’s backbone.
While much of the distillery was updated as part of a rebuild in the 1970s, the six stills were faithfully reproduced to retain Caol Ila’s traditional, unique profile.
Caol Ila’s distinct flavour profile is shaped by a maturation process that takes place over the course of years.
Visit Caol Ila
Visit the Distillery
Since reopening after a 2022 renovation, the Caol Ila distillery welcomes whisky-lovers in for guided distillery tours that show the production process in detail.
There are also experiences including both introductory and more in-depth tasting sessions for beginners and afficionados alike.
Caol Ila is on the Northeast part of Islay, making it a great place to start a trip around the island, especially given its close proximity to Jura.
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