Another Islay Cousin: Caol Ila 12

Caol Ila 12 is a bit more sophisticated than his cousins Bunnahabhain 12 and Bruichladdich 12. Although smooth and polite like our friends, he asserts his character with a bit more smoke. Because this easy going single malt whisky is such a perfect gentleman, he is the ideal introduction to peat for a Scotch Chick. Beware, Ladies, not all of the cousins on the Isle of Islay have such impeccable manners. A Scotch Chick would be wise to spend time with these three gentlemen before offering her palate to their more powerful cousins, Laphroaig and Lagavulin.

Scotch: Caol Ila 12

Pronunciation: Kaal-ee-la

Region: Islay

Reviewer	DC Scotch Chick	CA Scotch Chick
Color	Pale.	Yellow.
Nose	Peat then sweet.	Fresh.
Body	Clean, medium but light for a peat, contained.	Full, satisfying, rounded, balanced.
Palate	Lovely, smoky.	Definitely malty, whiff of smoke on a cold winter's day.
Finish	Finish disappears in an instant, sweet.	Smoky glimpse that disappears as soon as it is perceived.
Comments	Very mild stepping stone to the peats.	A peaty little number that has none of the negative characteristics a newcomer might associate with peat.