Caol Ila 18 Years Single Malt Whisky

Whiskyspace Notes 2327

Jul 5, 2026, 20:42:37

Bloody lovely little number this 🥃 Pale gold in the glass, whiffs of tinned litchis straight off, creamy like Haribo, almost bonbony sweet. Got white chocolate, Danish pastries, even a little gewürztraminer vibe? Tastes so fruity, loads of preserved fruits like mirabelles and apricots, plus sponge cake and custard, like peach and custard tarte without the soggy bottom. Body’s rather light, feels more Lowlands than Highlands for sure. Medium finish with just that gentle white pepper kick from the oak, no peat at all which is mad, all the smokiness has totally vanished. Muscaty little aftertaste too, proper nice for a casual weeknight sip.

Whiskyspace Notes 2327

Jul 5, 2026, 20:42:35

Blimey, this one’s a proper mood. 🧪 Right off, there’s that carbolic, medicinal whiff – like nanna’s cabinet after a cold. Then it dives straight into a proper farmyard: cow sheds, damp hay, and that cured bacon greasiness. Underneath, a nervous, salty coastal edge – dried seaweed, oyster brine, salted fish – it’s all a bit windswept and wild. But then… this soft, green fruit pops up. Soft pears, maybe a sprig of gorse, and lemon juice so fresh it makes your tongue tingle. There’s a buttery, olive oil richness too, and this hessian, leather warmth from the 25 years in the cask. The finish… long. Proper long. Leaves a taste of pine sap, green clay, and that eucalyptus lozenge coolness. Almost a whisper of Mezcal’s smoke, but it’s unpeated, so more of a clean, green heat. That farmy balance is just chef’s kiss. Favourite dram of the month, hands down. 🌿

Whiskyspace Notes 2273

Jul 4, 2026, 09:54:49

Blimey, this new number I picked up last week is such a lovely little dram! 🥂 It’s that nice pale gold colour too, way more ‘Lowlands’ than ‘Highlands’ vibe, even has that little hint of sea air like Arran days. No silly peat at all mind, like time’s just erased all the remaining smokiness. So bloody fruity too – loads of preserved apricots, mirabelles, even those tinned litchis I used to love as a kid, plus that gewürztraminer tang I didn’t expect. Got that creamy white chocolate and custard sweetness, like biting into a perfect peach and custard tart, with a little white pepper kick from the oak. Tastes like fluffy sponge cake with Danish pastry filling, even has that weirdly nice bubblegum and creamy Haribo-y vibe going on. Proper stimulating apéritif, light body, medium finish that leaves all that muscaty preserved fruit flavour hanging. Almost bonbony, so moreish!

Whiskyspace Notes 2132

Jun 27, 2026, 15:22:50

This dram's got a real coastal kick to it, reminds me of standing by the shore when the wind's whipping through the dunes. There's a bright, almost alive and fresh note upfront - think heather and a sprig of gorse, sharp and green. The peat's soft but gives this lemony edge, like squeezing fresh lemon juice into a smoky fire. It's got this strange medicinal quality, a bit like mercurochrome, but not unpleasant, more like an old car engine that still runs strong. You get hints of leather and the barnyard - cow sheds in the background, but it's not muddy, just earthy. There's a nervous coastal edge, salty like oyster or shellfish, with some dried seaweed and turf underneath. The oak comes through as hessian and a touch of cured bacon, while the fruit is subtle - soft green apples maybe. It's brutally strong but has a decent length of maturation, so the burn is followed by something more fulsome. A long, lingering finish with a slight tartness and a whisper of eucalyptus lozenge. Not your typical peat bomb, but it's got that unpeated style with a surprising depth. 🥃🌊

Whiskyspace Notes 2132

Jun 27, 2026, 15:22:37

Served up a dram the other night – pale gold in the glass, like sunlight through a Highland mist. First nose hit me with sea air and this bright mirabelle note, almost like someone opened a tin of lychees and left it by the window. Took a sip and it's proper fruity – peaches and custard tart all over, with this creamy, Haribo-y sweetness that made me think of Danish pastries at a seaside café. Light body, slides easy, but there's a whisper of white pepper from the oak hanging about, less peat than I expected. Finish is medium, leaves me with preserved apricots and a hint of muscaty wine. Oddly comforting, like a sponge cake soaked in custard after a long walk. Not sure where it’s from, but it’s got that new-bottle energy – fresh, eager, no rough edges. Just a solid dram for a quiet evening. 🥃