Caol Ila’s distillery character is marked by a blend of fresh pear, grassy notes, a touch of juniper, and coastal hints like lobster shells, crab creels, and soft smoke. Though it uses the same malt specification as its sister distillery Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s longer fermentation, higher cut point, and taller stills help to mellow the heavy phenols. The single malt is typically matured in refill casks, and the unpeated version is equally delicate, offering a fresh, estery, and almost floral quality.
For many years, due to its importance in blends, Caol Ila’s single malt was only available through independent bottlings until 2002, when a 12-year-old expression was officially released. Now, the range includes the no-age-statement Moch, as well as 18-year-old, 25-year-old, Distiller’s Edition with a special finish, and annual limited releases.
Caol Ila was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson, who built a small distillery in a bay near Port Askaig on Islay’s east coast. He named it after the Sound of Islay, the body of water it overlooks. In 1857, blender Bulloch Lade bought out Henderson, expanding the site by adding a large pier. Caol Ila became part of DCL (now Diageo) in 1927 and continued to operate until 1972, when the original distillery was demolished to make way for a larger facility with six stills, transforming it into Islay’s largest whisky producer.
In the pre-single malt boom era, most of Caol Ila’s output was used in blends, particularly Johnnie Walker. When the whisky market faced a downturn in the 1980s, the distillery adapted by producing unpeated “Highland style” whisky to stay operational. Unpeated production continues each year based on Diageo’s blending needs.
A major renovation occurred in 2011, increasing capacity to 6.5 million litres annually with the installation of a new mash tun and additional washbacks. During periods when Caol Ila’s peated production paused, Bunnahabhain stepped in to meet peated whisky demands.
In 2018, Diageo announced a £150 million investment to enhance tourism, including plans for a new visitor centre at Caol Ila. The centre, located in the distillery’s warehouse, will feature a footbridge entrance, new parking facilities, and a bar with stunning views across the Sound of Islay to Jura.
