Caol Ila 9 Years (2015/2024) - James Eadie
When you taste a whisky from Islay, you expect a smoky, maritime explosion - and that's exactly what the Caol Ila 9 Years 2015/2024 from James Eadie delivers, with an enormous elegance that inspires. This distillate takes us on a journey to the wild coasts of Islay.
The panel
Mean 83.0 · spread 6
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- Caol Ila
- Bottler
- James Eadie
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Isle of Islay
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 9 years
- Strength
- 54.9% ABV
- Character
- spicy
Tasting
Nose
The flavour is reminiscent of bacon glazed in honey - sweet, salty, a hint of smoke. Lemon zest and bourbon vanilla give it a fresh, creamy note that harmonises perfectly with the icing sugar sweetness. But then come the maritime notes: Rust, seaweed, and a hint of sea salt. It's like walking over the cliffs on a rough Islay day.
Palate
At the first sip, an intense rush of iodine and cold smoke is noticeable, accompanied by a strong salty impact that emphasises the maritime tones. But then the whisky surprises: a warm, almost jam-like sweetness of redcurrant jelly comes to the fore, reminiscent of a cosy evening by the fire. The slightly burnt note is interesting, adding depth and complexity without losing balance.
Finish
The finish is long, voluminously smoky and accompanied by a distinct saltiness that is like a gentle sea breeze. The earthy notes - almost granite-like - give it weight, while the red-fruity sweetness provides an unexpectedly pleasant contrast.
Verdicts
Marcel
A real crowd-pleaser, the Caol Ila 9 Years from James Eadie delivers just the right amount of smoke and sweetness to make for a perfect cozy evening – almost as if you were sitting on the coast of Islay feeling the wind. A whisky with character that simply lifts your spirits and makes you eager for the next sip.
Sascha
The 54.9% ABV of the Caol Ila 9 Years 2015/2024 reveals an impressive balance between maritime notes and sweet accents, well integrated structurally. The complex aroma profile featuring iodine, seaweed, and blackcurrant jelly demonstrates a successful harmony, making this independent bottling both analytically and sensorially a convincing Islay whisky.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Caol Ila as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £167 across 340 lots · 2024-08