Caol Ila 12 Years 2013/2025 100 Proof Edition #65 is a smoky, coastal Islay single malt bottled by Signatory Vintage in their 100 Proof range. Distilled in 2013 and matured in a combination of first fill Oloroso sherry butts and bourbon hogsheads, it was bottled in 2025 at 57.1% ABV, with no chill-filtration and no added colour. The result is a powerful yet clean and precise Caol Ila, combining peat smoke, fruit and a distinctly maritime character.
On the nose you get beach bonfire smoke, seaweed and sea breeze alongside light fruit, lemon sponge cake, toffee and a gentle sweetness from the bourbon casks. In the background there are hints of dried fruit, a touch of tar and a subtle shellfish note – very typical of Caol Ila.
The palate is clearly peat-smoked but remains elegant and well balanced, with layers of ashy hearth smoke, lemon peel, light caramel, vanilla, sea salt and a touch of dried fruit from the sherry casks. The mouthfeel is oily and concentrated, and the high strength delivers a firm but harmonious kick that responds beautifully to a few drops of water.
The finish is long, smoky and freshly maritime, with lingering notes of beach fire, salty pebble shore, toffee, light fruit and a delicate mineral edge that recalls the distillery’s location on the sound between Islay and Jura. This is a whisky for those who enjoy classic Caol Ila peat with a modern mix of sherry richness and bourbon-driven freshness.
