Facts about this distillery
Established
1846
Owner
Diageo
Annual Capacity
6,500,000 Litres
Region
Islay
Number of Stills
Six pot stills – three wash, three spirit
Caol Ila Distillery. Beastly amounts of peat. Unleash the beast.
Caol Ila is one of three remote Islay whisky distilleries – Bunnahabhain, Ardnahoe, Caol Ila – that enjoy views of the immense Paps of Jura, across the Sound of Islay. All are in the northeastern part of Islay, and Caol Ila is the most southernly of the three. They may be in close vicinity of each other, but they couldn’t be more different in flavour.
A huge peat feat. From Islay, naturally.
Caol Isla – particularly the Caol Isla 12-year-old – is among its peatiest, not just on Islay, but in the entire world. The dram only ever uses the purest, locally sourced, fresh water and local ingredients.
Founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson; Hector’s endeavour was not successful, so he partnered with James Lamont, to make Henderson, Lamont & Co. in 1854. New buyers and investors came and went. And like many distilleries of the time, Caol Isla closed its doors. It resumed production, this time with Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd, shortly after World War Two.
The distillery was again closed, and the entire site almost decimated. In 1986, Caol Ila became part of whisky’s multinational key player, Diageo.
Slàinte. As they say at Caol Isla.
If you’re unable to find a suitable booking time to visit, contact the Visitor Centre, where you will always receive a warm welcome. Relax with a dram or try a Caol Isla cocktail.
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