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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).

33 bottles 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.

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
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

17,044 lots sold · £3.7m hammer total

How Caol Ila bottles have traded at Scotch Whisky Auctions and Whisky Auctioneer between January 2011 and October 2026. Hammer prices exclude buyer's premium, VAT and delivery.

Trading volume
#17of 182 distilleries by lots sold
Bids per lot
18.2Whisky Auctioneer only, against 19.9 across all distilleries
Median hammer price
£95average £218, pulled up by the top lots
Independent bottlings
45%of lots (7,610), the rest official bottlings (9,434)
Highest hammer prices
BottleSoldHammer
Caol Ila The·London·Scottish 12 Year Old2021£26,000
Caol Ila 1966 Special Selection 19 Year Old2021£16,500
Caol Ila 1966 Special Selection 19 Year Old2026£15,500
Most often sold
BottleLotsMedian
Caol Ila 12 Year Old1,443£60
Caol Ila 25 Year Old1,043£140
Caol Ila 15 Year Old988£111

Past auction results, not a valuation or a guide to future prices. Figures compiled 1 November 2026.

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 Scot Single Malt Whisky (46% ABV, 70cl), at £40.95 from Master of Malt. That is £45.90 delivered to the UK mainland for one bottle. Next cheapest: Caol Ila James Eadie Small Batch Release Single Malt Scotch 8 year old Whisky (£44.95) and Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (£48.50).
How much does Caol Ila whisky cost?
Caol Ila whisky costs from £40.95 to £1,620.95, with a median of £96.95 for a full-size bottle. 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.