Caol Ila, founded in 1846, stands as one of Islay's most iconic distilleries. After gaining prominence through Diageo's Flora & Fauna and Rare Malts series, Caol Ila was officially launched as a standalone single malt whisky brand in 2002, introducing a comprehensive core range. Today, approximately 15% of the distillery's production is reserved for single malt bottlings, while the majority serves as crucial components in Johnnie Walker blends, particularly the flagship Black Label. This strategic importance led Diageo to select Caol Ila as one of four distilleries for its £1.5 billion Four Corners project, alongside Cardhu, Clynelish, and Glenkinchie. The initiative includes a major visitor center upgrade, with Caol Ila representing the signature peated character of Johnnie Walker. The new visitor experience, opened in 2020, features a tasting bar with panoramic views of the Sound of Islay, a dedicated parking area connected by a pedestrian bridge leading directly to the facility. The distillery operates with a 12.5-tonne full-lauter mash tun, eight wooden washbacks (two updated in November 2019) and two stainless steel washbacks, along with three pairs of stills. Production schedules vary between five and seven days weekly, yielding 16 to 26 mashes respectively. Fermentation times range from short (55 hours) to long (120 hours) periods. While renowned for its distinctive peated style, Caol Ila also produces an unpeated variant, both distilled to 72-63% ABV. The core range includes Moch (NAS), 12-Year-Old, 18-Year-Old, and 25-Year-Old expressions, plus the Moscatel-finished Distiller's Edition and cask strength releases. Special editions include the 2019 Feis Ile 10-Year-Old, matured in American oak ex-bourbon and refreshed European oak casks, and the 2018 Diageo Special Releases featuring both an unpeated 15-Year-Old and an exceptional 35-Year-Old peated expression.
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