The Whisk(e)y Vault - Episode 31 - Caol Ila 12 Year Old

An episode of The Whisk(e)y Vault hosted at Whisky Marketing School in Austin, TX.
Today we talk about "Caol Ila 12 Year Old" From the Caol Ila Distillery.

[@th-rv1wr]

Rex has really aged over the last 4yrs.. he looks 20 years younger here

[@HoferEric]

It was all fine untill the third kid.

[@Kvs-vf9nt]

@@HoferEric 🤣👍

[@floatingpeaks4584]

Too much whisky

[@FEWGEE1]

Him and me both!

[@hogquaffer4741]

Oh my goodness Rex looks like a peppy young schoolboy here compared to his new videos.

[@draumafikill4888]

If Lagavulin is Ron Swanson then Caol Ila is April Ludgate. Damn I love this whisky!!!

[@colbyperry3325]

Adam Ash this is the best analogy I’ve ever seen

[@simonpedersen6234]

hahahaha lægges my assnoff😂

[@viktorreiter8811]

i would absolutely choose to bang april, does that mean i should try caol ila instead of the laga?

[@prithvibumia2941]

Do i want to smash caol ila or chill with lagavulin? Tough choice

[@budj13]

Daniel nailed it-- this is a gold standard of a fine Islay whisky. You guys are always fun... I just wish I would have heard the oscar worthy journey Rex was spinning up on.

[@phatzwave4424]

The 12yo is a mainstay in my collection having discovered Caol Ila in the 90's through Signatory. Young Caol Ila cask strength indies are amazing too!

[@icharus2970]

Just picked up a bottle. Trying to expand my horizons. I like it. Classic Laddie was good too.

[@BlakeCortright]

Haha "The Revenant is based on the taste of drinking Caol Ila"

[@ROBIEM97]

Just found this as I was drinking some and was wondering what your notes were. God these older videos are gold.

[@jannerantaruikka]

Doing just the same right now! Oh nostalgia!

[@TheZiimzz]

Had this last night. First ever smokey whiskey. Wild experience: Nose - Emergency room?! Medical gauze and bandages and then.. smoked ham? That bonfire smell you get at 5 am when the last embers are going out and there is a thin trail of smoke left. Palate: Instant seawater, yet sweet, little vanilla? Then smoke. All smoke. All other tastes just went away and just feels like smoke - panic WHY DID I BUY 3 BOTTLES OF ISLAY WHISKEY WITHOUT TAKING A GLASS IN A BAR OR SOMETHING TO SEE IF I LIKE IT?! (Bought this and Ardbeg 10 and Lagavulin 16 at the same time). Took another sip - getting better? Less smoke more wood? Moss? Wet grass? Finish: My grandparents used to smoke ham in the sauna chimney which was absolutely delicious. So after eating too much of it you are left with intense smokey flavor in the mouth. All else is just numb. Take a candy - nope tastes like smoked ham. That's what it felt like. Like you numbed your mouth with an ice cube or cold rubber? and then all that's left is ash and smoke. All the time I was sipping it I couldn't stop thinking about how they managed to get my grandpas smoked ham and emergency room and cold rubber into a bottle?! And then I realized - I don't like the whiskey but I love the experience of it. 10/10 would recommend.

[@HNM69]

This is the first Whisky I ever liked.

[@PR0per6RAMmar]

Gotta say, you guys have been growing on me. Caol Ila was the first Whisky I ever bought, and it is wonderful.

[@WhiskeyVault]

Aeolian I think we just found our new catchphrase. "Daniel and Rex! They will grow on you!"

[@Lawful_Rebel]

Aeolian If you get the opportunity, look for an independent bottling of a young Caol Ila, one that hasn't been artificially coloured or chill-filtered (as diageo does to all it's range of whisky) and preferably cask strength.. The standard 12yr old is a superb whisky, but something like the Gordon & Macphail Caol Ila 11yr old cask strength, is definitely worth trying. Slàinte 😀

[@yvofrom]

Tried Caol Ila 12 for the first time today, loved it. Smokey fresh goodness. Chased it with an Arran Port Cask, was a good evening.

[@reptilianskin]

The smokiness of Caol Ila is what makes JWBL such a fantastic blend. What many don't realize is that blended scotch whisky accounts for about 80% of all scotch whisky sold worldwide. So many fantastic single malt scotch whisky producers are in business because they contribute to the world famous blended scotches. If many of these producers had refused to contribute their product to these blends, they would not survive very long. Whisky production is a long and capital intensive process. Without the distribution channels of the largest players these fantastic regional producers would be shuttered up with their remaining production sold at auction.

[@ScottFitton]

I was one who started out on single malt scotch whisky and ended up with that pretentiousness that prevented me from trying blends like JW Black for a long time. I got a bottle of JW Black for Christmas a couple years ago and I very much enjoyed it. Since then I've started exploring more blends and setting that mentality to not judge a whisk(e)y by its label. It's been a tasty experience in many ways.

[@Saturday8pm]

Thanks for the recommendation. Caol ila is a FANTASTIC drink. Cheers! 🥃

[@tubicle]

Loved your extra information about why it's similar to lagavulin and they have the same supplier Other channels all look the same with boring scripts Keep up the good work and the fun conversation ❤

[@jimp514]

It's pronounced Cull Eela

[@ryanthewineguy3172]

I just noticed that they have been pronouncing it wrong. Good catch.

[@Pladderkasse]

Aye..

[@Lawful_Rebel]

Caol Ila used to be so much better.. The Distillery now adds colour and subjects the whisky to Chill-filtration, and for that reason it's not as full flavoured as it used to be. I prefer an independent bottling of Caol Ila these days, that's natural colour, non-chillfiltered, and preferably cask strength..

[@Lawful_Rebel]

Jim P It says so on the side of the packaging, so it does ☺️ Damn fine whisky Caol Ila.. Especially some of the natural colour, non-chillfiltered, independant bottlings.

[@pragmaticduck1772]

Did he say that at 4:56 followed by an 'oh god'

[@nickolasburns8788]

I got recommended this whisky by a local store, and it was flipping amazing. So much so I shared the joy with my little bro, and then he drank it like a shot.. I’m never letting him try my whisky again...

[@WhiskeyVault]

oh jeez. It's time to have a sit don talk with your brother.

[@nal8503]

Is that an auto-correct or is a "sit don talk" an actual thing? I'm thinking of cigars and at least one mafia boss.

[@amoshousworth5568]

Just found a bottle of this in deer isle Maine for $50 and it’s blowing me away! Damn fine indeed

[@stevewalther2293]

My all time favorite!!

[@smashexentertainment676]

Love Caol Ila 12 for it's fine well balanced flavor gently accompanied by peat. While most of Islay scotches have peat as a main feature. I'm a peat-head myself, but that one's special.

[@lubetester]

this is the best scotch i have ever had. my local liquor store stocks lots of 200 ml bottles from around the world, which helps those on budgets try things they may otherwise never have. this is worth buying a 750.

[@spegheti]

I love your reviews guys! Even when they don't give much technical information it's still great fun to watch! One of my friends just traded me a bottle of 20yr Caol Ila from a single cask, for a leather belt I made for him. But the bottler isn't Caol Ila, but a company called "Montgomerie's" as part of "The Single Cask Collection" How common is it to have companies that just sell other distillers single malts?

[@WhiskeyVault]

Very common! It's one of my favorite things about Scotland. The proliferation of independent brands doing special edition bottlings of larger distilleries is something I wish we would see more of in the US.

[@bradwebb4925]

Love your reviews guys. Request: If you have any 12 y/o Hibiki on your shelf, I'd love your take on it. Tried it at a restaurant after dinner last week and I'm still thinking about it.

[@WhiskeyVault]

We do, and we will! May even compare it to the 17.

[@doncorleon8082]

Hibiki 12 sip was my go to in to whisky 😍

[@dp4491]

I got some definite Black Licorice flavors on the back end. Real tasty

[@fedx5879]

You guys should review the Caol Ila Mooch 43% NAS.

[@tjs201971]

Daniel and Rex thank you for the reviews!! I tried Coal Ila 12 delicious! Next the Bruichladdich classic ! But have any of you try Bruichladdich barley 2011 ?

[@Tundamesa]

My Caol ila 12 years is way more clear in the color than what I see in their drinks... do you have the same guys ?

[@dustintircuit9321]

Bought a bottle of this as my first foray into scotch. I am enjoying it.

[@megashuckle8979]

When are you going to do Caol Ila Moch?

[@nickparilac372]

for me Cull Eela is Lagavulin 16 light, love both but the Caol Ila is not as oil heavy

[@Mumblecrust.]

I'll start by saying I'm super new to whiskey (only had a couple different bottles, Braeval 13yr single malt, Balvenie 12yr single malt, and the Caol Ila 8yr single malt) I was wondering, what difference in taste is there between the Caol Ila 12 year old and the Caol Ila 8 year old?

[@WhiskeyVault]

the difference is all exactly what you'd expect. 12 is a bit smoother, a bit richer, and the smoke is darker instead of spikier.

[@davidjeffries5514]

If you keep going forward Rex look like he just really hungover

[@theswad]

I'm really curious about some of the unpeated versions of some of the Islay whiskeys, especially Caol Ila (as it's one of my new favorite Islays), any chance you could do a video about or recommend some of these?

[@nal8503]

I second that request. Would love to see the other peated Caol Ila's (18/25) tested/compared as well. Caol Ila 12 is my favourite Scotch so far, so I've been curious about its other expressions.

[@Rungunseattacos]

Hey guys, I've been going back through and watching all the videos starting with the first from the advent calendar (i'm on episode 90 now) and I just picked up a bottle of Cool Ila 12 and was totally shocked by how light the color was for a 12 year old whiskey (more like a white wine than a golden whiskey). My buddy that had some with me was pretty surprised as well. Watching this video, it appears that mine is significantly lighter than yours. I'm wondering if this is something that is normal with Caol Ila or if it's possible something is wrong with my bottle. Was an extremely light color something you immediately noticed with Caol Ila?

[@WhiskeyVault]

You got the right one! It's light because they don't add caramel coloring to darken it.

[@Rungunseattacos]

Oh. Gotcha! So is it typical for most Scotches to add color?

[@AdamPFarnsworth]

@@Rungunseattacos It's pretty common to add color, to keep all the bottles looking the same, and avoid the very worry you just demonstrated 😆 (in case you were waiting for an answer still!)

[@AdamPFarnsworth]

5 years ago... man, we're old

[@yudhistirabulldog]

Can you tell me the difference with caol ila 12 and Laphroaig 10? I have difficulty distinguishing between them

[@PeacefulPeteable]

To me Laphroaig feels a little more in your face on the palate than the Caol Ila but the Caol Ila seems more complex. Both great whiskys

[@kyles7472]

What are the other Ila whiskeys?

[@DuCkY17RSA]

Just realized that the bottles used for Caol ila 12 and the Lagavulin 16 is almost the exact same bottle.

[@garrettjones4967]

Oh yeah. I never noticed that. Good eye.

[@SmartDave60]

I get mince meat and Christmas spices too. Cheers!

[@toolfan79]

Rex needed to add a "Good Day Sir!" to the end of his rant.

[@Olivier_HS]

Jeremy Nicholson “I said good day!”

[@mathiasstorm7446]

Hey! Just got the Caol Ila Destillers Edition - was wondering if you could compare that to the 12 year old in a future episode? 🥃

[@WhiskeyVault]

Great idea!

[@patrickhogue8790]

Great Whisky, I picked up a bottle at the distillery

[@user-si4nt6jb7y]

Recently tried Caol Ila 15. I have to say, 12 is a lot more flavorful.

[@shadmo8629]

Caol Ila 12 is my favourite Islay. Everyone has their own taste but to me this is so much better than Lagavulin 16 but almost half the price where I live. Maybe if Ron Swanson drank Caol Ila everything would be different?!

[@davidjacobsen4881]

Is this better than Laphroaig 10 in your opinion ?? Because I'm just getting into Laphroaig

[@stebeardX]

Not for me. Ive only just started drinking scotch, had my first one about 3 weeks ago and it was the Laphroaig 10, i loved it!! had the Caol ila tonight, its good but not the as good as the 10. ive also tried Bowmore 12 which is nice and Bowmore 19 which i love like the Laphroiag. If you can get the Bowmore 19 get it!

[@samanthaannwestray1393]

excellent

[@Fridtjuv]

I bought Strathisla 12yr last weekend and it was a bit too sweet for me. (It was really good though, but boring) I'd like to try some smoky whiskies. I've tried Laphroaig 10yr but it was way too heavy. Are there any whiskies that are smoky but not on a Laphroaig level? Like...mildly smoky/peaty. I want the smokiness to be there but not too heavy. Any tips?

[@jordanpike5816]

Evig Sorg little late on the draw but have you tried bowmore yet? Smoky but not overpowering, with a little sweetness. It's a good balance if you ask me but I'm far from an expert.

[@Fridtjuv]

Jordan Pike Well, now I've been drinking whisky for a month or so and I have 6 bottles at home now. Strathisla 12 yr, Bunnahabhain 12 yr, Lagavulin 16 yr, Laphroaig 10 yr, Box Dalvve and Ardbeg 10 yr. I actually LOVE peated whisky now, haha! I actually need MORE peat. Any recommendations?

[@jordanpike5816]

Evig Sorg the same thing happened to me, I was really iffy on trying the peated stuff cause I was warned it was powerful but now I love it! I'm picking up a bottle of talisker tonight I think, I really like that one. Unfortunately me being broke is a great hindrance to buying and expanding my collection so I rely on mooching haha.that and local whiskey shows and tastings.

[@Fridtjuv]

Jordan Pike I actually bought a bottle of Talisker 10 yr for my younger brother's birthday in November. I think I'll buy one for myself too. He said it was delicious, hah. I really shouldn't buy too many bottles though. It breaks by monthly budget. I need to finish the ones I have. I'm impatient though...I want to explore more!

[@jordanpike5816]

Evig Sorg that's the never ending dilemma with whiskey. Never enough of it. I'm currently split between talisker 10 and highland park, trying to get a whiskey from every region to expand my tastes but I also really like the peat and smoke.

[@rjframe4410]

Im drinking this right now

[@TheKavindraM]

Well that's the reason I am watching this after I had 1 with Ralphy and another with Horst. Now, I am here for the fun.

[@djcubedmofo]

Kavindra Mishra I followed the very same path; however, I did have 3 sneaky wee drams off Bunnahabhainn 12yo before the Caol Ila, and I must say, both of them are absolutely fantastic whiskey! They are exactly the two flavor profiles I want in whiskey. Highly recommend both

[@NotQuiteEpic]

Kal Eila sounds like Superman's uncle.

[@chacehawkins4708]

When the mooch mooches mooch levels

[@Bleckman666]

"an old dude's library, a study, with a fireplace, leather sofas and old books". That's a pretty apt description of what the tasting room at Lagavulin actually looks like: watcherromano.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/lagavulin-003-living-room-fireplace.jpg

[@WhiskeyVault]

That is awesome.

[@alejandrochacon8384]

How does it taste this whiskey compare to oban 18 or oban 14 i don't know to much about whiskey i just had those 2 and whiskeys like old parr, buchanas master, buchanas 18, gold label, green label, blue label etc those are famoues where I'm from but i want to lear more

[@alejandrochacon8384]

I will answer myself. No it doesn't taste even close jaja i didn't like it to much

[@markh2446]

noob here, when i taste this i would descripe it as dark earth , something heavy .. anybody who can explain this for me ? thnx

[@Robo0595]

That'd be the peat.

[@Fidasaind]

When Rex hits level 9001 I assume we will get a very special reference. Especially since Daniel could pass for Nappa ;) Then again that may cost the entire bottle of Macallan M Rex: I just leveled up. 9001 Daniel: So you could say... your mooch level is... over 9000? Rex: Nope. No. You can't do that. Give me the M. The entire bottle. Now!

[@Jubanen12]

I just bought Caol Ila 12 and drank first sip, I swear I got goosebumps its so good, first time that has happened with any whisky lol.... never drank this before, it must be my favorite whisky, for now, of all I have tried over time. Not too overpowering in terms of smokiness.. superbly balanced.

[@simonfowler8991]

Lagavulin do their own malting, just go to their distillery tour video!

[@AlabamaTree]

How do you call it? 🤭 only joking, great video again 👌🏼

[@ChaosAI24]

Hard to chose between Caol Ila 12 and Bowmore 12!

[@skullkrusher4418]

It not only tastes like lagavulin, but the bottle is almost a copy of the lagavulin bottles lol.

[@doobysnacksdemonte4821]

I'm drinking this as we speak. And i have a long beard. Lagavulin is a beautiful scotch to

[@lamrof]

I tested it. what he said as in, lively is correct, Caol Ila is like jazz not the blues, more juvenile than regal, modern and excited than classy and calm, nimble and fast than graceful and powerful. It's like a tornado rather than a hurricane. I like the smokeyness other than that I am not sure if I like it. I am more of oaky, full bodied, smooth but strong drinks.

[@KevinPerez-fd9xq]

Cheers🥃😎

[@johnmorgan7262]

So I Bought some of this last night base entirely on your seeming love affair with this scotch. (btw - also bought monkey shoulder for same reason) I have concluded I need more time with this. I get the smoke, but I am overpowered by the taste of band aids and insulin. (Find a type 1 diabetic and ask them to smell a unit). It even has the oily lingering of insulin too. I am. Betting this is the first time you heard that tasting note. But it is just really pronounced on my palate.

[@samuelmorse784]

You, sir, are a pussy.

[@mielipuolisiili7240]

That's a hilariously unique way of describing it :D

[@willhenryshortterms]

"I stopped listening after you said, I'm amazing"

[@simonbarrett5624]

Ah yes, the days before Daniel learned how to pronounce Caol Ila

[@waves2loser]

Let me tell you a little story about this whisky (Caol Ila 12 year old). I was 18 and I had never tried a real whisk(e)y, only stuff like fireball. Naturally, being 18 I thought I was amazing, so I told my friend. This well meaning friend went out and brought me a bottle of Caol Ila for my 19th. He poured me a finger and dropped a few whisk(e)y rocks in. I took a sip, not knowing to sniff it to prepare myself. My god, it was like I had been slapped in the face with a campfire log. He then offered a glass to my other friend, who picked it up, inspected it, and then drank it like a shot. He has still not been allowed to drink my friend's whisk(e)y for that sacrilege. I was completely unprepared for the peatyness, and it was hilarious. I came to the conclusion that whisk(e)y wasn't for me. Upon stumbling onto your channel through the modern rouge, you fine gents have re-inspired me to try more whisk(ey's! So thank you, and thank's for not taking yourselves seriously and having plenty of laughs along the way! Finally, A mother complained to her doctor about her daughter’s strange eating habits. “All day long she lies in bed and eats yeast and car wax. What will happen to her?” “Eventually,” said the consultant, “she will rise and shine.”

[@ThePipeMonk]

waves2loser Rogue* , rouge is a color.

[@zachariahzedd8124]

Hahaha #titan of whisky edit

[@FEWGEE1]

Caol ila and Lagavulin are also both owned by Diageo.

[@rymasterp]

STOP SAYING CAOL ILA WRONG!

[@mikelesage7133]

4:06 “Winter evening-k” Drink

[@docf1xx]

In a good way

[@justanotherparatrooper7098]

I don’t play soccer because I enjoy the sport. I’m just doing it for kicks.

[@thodoristsap2004]

Im tasting dark chocolate in this..am i going crazy??

[@finnice]

Nope you're not mad... although I don't know you you could be oooh

[@hattmancock6396]

I get a bit of cinamon

[@virioguidostipa5681]

Hipsters! Darn!

[@berkayguner]

*cull-eelah

[@chrisjkerins]

Saying it weird it's not like islay it's more like eela

[@Mediccine]

anyone else think it was super rude for right guy to just start drinking while the other is talking, also full ignored him?

[@stevewalther2293]

They always do that...its funny..

[@mimakake]

You pronounced the name wrong. ;)

[@docf1xx]

I think it tastes like a house fire smells

[@dylanthomas7443]

Recently, you guys seem to be on some ego trip against each other. Dont waste our time if you cant kiss, makeup and be normal again.

[@mikedirain]

They just mispronounced the name, I believe?!!!?? 😮

[@johnbrauchi1377]

Pronounced "cool eela"

[@lamrof]

Funny one of the guys say he feels like a man after drinking a good whisky. The fact is alcohol diminishes his testosterone and dry up his prostate.

[@czuczups]

Ffs, its Cull Ee-la. It even says it on the package, you 3rd level sommelier.

[@laurifinlandia]

please make the effort and learn to pronounce the name of the whisky before you make a video. this is painful to listen to.

[@WestMaroon]

Some good information but your pronunciation of Coal Ila needs work. It sounds like Cul eela. You are pronouncing it like the the whisky region of Isla which is pronounced "Ila". Do the homework.

[@lamrof]

These guys are tooooooooooo chatty. When you review can you get to the point. Maybe you guys are the wrong people for the series person who is looking for a quick review. Why blah blah blah giggle giggle haha hehe blah blah. The taller one is not funny and the shorter one giggles too much.

[@modvind]

Lam rof this isn’t the right channel for you

[@williamreynolds8177]

Whisky connoisseurs who can't even pronounce the name of the whisky correctly? Rubbish contribution...typical American tripe.