This year we have been a lot more considered (we actually planned this one before the 2020 Christmas Series release sold out – get us and our organisation), as we wanted to bring out something from one of the icons of the whisky world, a distillery that people would stop and say ‘huh’ when we talked to them about it, a whisky that was made for winter nights and sitting around the fire together celebrating good times, and working through the bad. A dram to raise after a long day, or share with friends through those long, cold nights. 

And I think we did ok, and why do I say that so confidently? 

Oh. Hell. Yeah. Our first Caol Ila release, and what perfect reason to bottle it than for our Christmas 2021 limited edition Single Cask Single Malt release… the distillery character is all about a grassy / cereal note combined with a lovely ripe, fresh pear note intertwined with hints of muted spice and exotic fruit notes as well as that salty, coastal brilliance that Islay is known for… oh, and of course a subtle, yet distinctive smoke note.

This much anticipated, and requested, Christmas Series release is a Single Cask Single Malt whisky from the Caol Ila distillery on Islay. 

Curiously, the ‘industrial chic’ design of Caol Ila means it is not really one of the most beautiful distilleries to look at, but is lovely to look out from over the stunning scenery of the Paps of Jura.

Caol Ila is Islay’s largest producer of spirit, producing 6,500,000 litres of heavily peated spirit each year, and has had eight owners over the years as the industry evolved and the distillery adapted to the different demands of the times.