Caol Ila 14YO Four Corners of Scotland (53%)

The Caol Ila 14 Year Old Four Corners of Scotland forms part of the Four Corners of Scotland series, a collection highlighting the distinctive character of Scotland’s whisky regions. This release represents Islay and was bottled as a limited distillery exclusive to mark the transformation of the Caol Ila visitor experience in 2022.

The whisky matured for fourteen years in a combination of refill hogsheads and freshly charred hogsheads, a pairing that balances the distillery’s pure spirit character with a slightly more pronounced oak influence. Bottled at cask strength, it presents Caol Ila’s coastal style in a direct and expressive form.

On the nose the whisky is clean and fresh with a gentle prickle. Light medicinal notes appear alongside the faint smokiness of an extinguished beach bonfire. Beneath this lies a subtle pastry-like sweetness resting on a crisp note reminiscent of freshly laundered linen.

The palate opens smooth with a touch of sweetness before the smoke becomes more pronounced. A light saline edge brings balance while the smoke remains clear and precise. With a splash of water the whisky becomes slightly sweeter and softer, revealing hints of acidity and additional salinity.

The finish is long and pleasantly warming, leaving behind a lightly charred and spicy note that lingers on the palate.

This release presents Caol Ila in a relatively unadorned style, highlighting its clean maritime smoke and crisp distillate character.