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Caol Ila whisky

Caol Ila is situated on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig and is the largest distillery on Islay by production capacity. While a substantial share of its spirit provides the smoky core for Johnnie Walker, its single malt is celebrated for a refined, maritime style.

The distillery’s flagship expression is Caol Ila 12 Year Old, which balances clean peat smoke with green apple, fresh pear, and sea spray. The wider lineup features the sweeter, un-aged Moch, the Moscatel-finished Distillers Edition, and rare unpeated ‘stirk’ expressions released in annual special series.

Prices are the best current in-stock offer from the UK retailers we check (how we compare prices).

35 full-size bottles (50cl to 1 litre) in stock, with the best current price from the UK retailers we check.

Engraving of Caol Ila distillery at the water's edge, with its chimney and ships at the pier
Engraving from Alfred Barnard, The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom (1887). Public domain.

Known for

The flavour families that most often turn up for Caol Ila, based on its available bottles.

A guide to the house style rather than a promise: individual releases can differ.

About the distillery

Region
Islay, Scotland
Founded
1846
Status
Producing
Capacity
6.5 million litres of pure alcohol a year (stated capacity, not actual output); as recorded October 2026. Number 25 of 169 by stated capacity.
Stills
6 (3 wash, 3 spirit)
Owner
Owned by Diageo (since 1927); as recorded October 2026
Say it
cull eel*a
Notable
Coastal site
SMWS code
53, the number on Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottlings (SMWS code decoder)
Visitor tours
Open to visitors (tours from £21, avg £40; checked October 2026). See distillery tour guide.
Visitor rating
4.4 out of 5 (514 reviews); TripAdvisor, October 2026
Travel Index
Rank #39 in Scotland (Highly Commended Tier), score 71.3/100. Milroy's Travel Index.

Read the full history on Whiskipedia

Secondary Market Barometer

19,886 lots sold · £4.5m hammer total

How Caol Ila bottles have traded at Scotch Whisky Auctions, Whisky Auctioneer and Whisky Hammer between May 2011 and October 2026. Hammer prices exclude buyer's premium, VAT and delivery, except that a Whisky Hammer price includes 20% VAT when a VAT-registered business sells the lot.

Trading volume
#16Among the most tradedof 178 distilleries by lots sold
Bids per lot
19.0Average biddingWhisky Auctioneer only, against 20.5 across all distilleries
Median hammer price
£95.00average £223.85, pulled up by the top lots
Independent bottlings
52%Mostly independent bottlingsof lots (10,347), the rest official bottlings (9,539)Median hammer: official £110.00, independent £85.00
Highest hammer prices
BottleSoldHammer
Caol Ila The London Scottish 12 Year Old2021£26,000.00
Caol Ila 1966 Special Selection 19 Year Old2021£16,500.00
Caol Ila 1966 'Celtic Label'2026£14,500.00
Most often sold
BottleLotsMedian
Caol Ila 25 Year Old919£140.00
Caol Ila Flora & Fauna 15 Year Old381£150.00
Caol Ila 12 Year Old366£35.00
Top independent bottlers
BottlerLotsMedian
Gordon & MacPhail1,547£85.00
Scotch Malt Whisky Society1,446£80.00
Cadenhead814£260.00

Past auction results, not a valuation or a guide to future prices. Figures compiled 12 November 2026.

Independent bottlings make up most of the Caol Ila lots here; our study of the workhorse malts and independent bottlers looks at where that happens and whether those bottlings cost more. Before comparing a hammer price with a shop price, add the fees: buying whisky at auction vs retail works through them. Auction medians for many brands have fallen since their 2021 and 2022 peaks, as what 1.6 million auction lots show about whisky prices sets out.

Also sold as

Names used when Caol Ila whisky is bottled without the distillery's name. These bottles are listed separately from Caol Ila's own.

Big Peat

Blended malt including Caol Ila, confirmed by the bottler. Source

Port Askaig

Widely reported to be Caol Ila. Source

Questions

What is the cheapest Caol Ila whisky?
The cheapest Caol Ila whisky is Caol Ila Smoky Single Malt Whisky (46% ABV, 70cl), at £41.50 from Master of Malt. That is £46.45 delivered to the UK mainland for one bottle. Next cheapest: Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (£48.50) and Caol Ila 12 Year Old (£49.95).
How much does Caol Ila whisky cost?
Caol Ila whisky costs from £41.50 to £1,620.95, with a median of £96.95 for a full-size bottle (50cl to 1 litre). The dearest is Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 1984 38 Year Old #3122 Limited Edition Single Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl.
What is the oldest Caol Ila whisky you can buy?
Connoisseurs Choice Caol Ila 1984 38 Year Old #3122 Limited Edition Single Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl, at 38 years old, from £1,620.95.
How does Caol Ila compare to other Islay single malts?
Caol Ila spirit is known for a lighter, fresher, and more delicate peat smoke than southern Islay malts like Ardbeg or Laphroaig. Its tall stills with upward-sloping lyne arms encourage reflux, creating floral, citrus, and maritime notes alongside balanced woodsmoke.
Who owns the Caol Ila distillery?
Caol Ila is owned by Diageo. The distillery was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson and underwent a complete modern reconstruction between 1972 and 1974 to expand its production capacity.