{"product_id":"caol-ila-single-malt-scotch-12-yr","title":"Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch 12 Yr","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaol Ila 12 Year is the most widely produced single malt from the largest distillery on Islay — and the one most responsible for the smoke character in Johnnie Walker blends, making it simultaneously the most commercially important Islay malt and one of the most informative expressions for understanding what the Walker range actually smells like.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCaol Ila (pronounced 'Cull Eela', Gaelic for 'Sound of Islay') is situated on the narrow strait between Islay and the Jura peninsula. Its peated character is lighter and more citrus-influenced than the southern Islay distilleries (Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin) — the peat is present but elegant, with the sea and oil character more prominent than medicinal phenols. This is why it works so well as the Scotch smoke element in blends. Browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/scotch\"\u003eScotch whisky collection\u003c\/a\u003e at Wooden Cork.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peated and coastal — smoke, lemon citrus, light brine, and a subtle floral sweetness\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oily and clean — peat smoke, citrus, a coastal salinity, and barley sweetness underneath\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, smoky, and dry with lingering maritime smoke and citrus\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhy is Caol Ila so important to Johnnie Walker blends?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eCaol Ila provides the smoky backbone in Johnnie Walker expressions — the characteristically gentle, citrus-influenced Islay peat that differentiates Walker blends from non-peated Scotch. Tasting Caol Ila 12 as a single malt is the clearest way to understand where the Walker smoke character comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs Caol Ila lighter than other Islay single malts?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — it is the lightest of the major Islay peated malts. The peat is citrus-influenced and elegant rather than medicinal or heavily maritime. Its lighter style is specifically why it works in blends without overpowering the other components.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why is Caol Ila so important to Johnnie Walker blends?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Caol Ila provides the smoky backbone in Johnnie Walker expressions — the characteristically gentle, citrus-influenced Islay peat that defines Walker's smoke character. Tasting Caol Ila 12 is the clearest way to understand where that character comes from.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is Caol Ila lighter than other Islay single malts?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes — the lightest of the major Islay peated malts. Peat is citrus-influenced and elegant rather than medicinal. Its lighter style is specifically why it works in blends.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Caol Ila","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42903924015175,"sku":"S 088076163461","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/caol-ila-12-year-old-single-malt-scotch-whisky.jpg?v=1782413568","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/caol-ila-single-malt-scotch-12-yr","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}