The Distiller’s Editions from Diageo distilleries frequently offer a twist on the distillery’s typical flavor profile, often in the form of a wine finish and a familiar age statement. The Distiller’s Editions of Caol Ila feature a moscatel finish, with the additional sweet wine elevating the fruitier elements of the malt. Sadly, in 2024 Diageo discontinued the vintage statement on the Distiller’s Edition products, rendering them far less collectible and, in my opinion, less interesting since they cannot be compared against earlier years. I am sure laser etched dates on the bottle could be used to at least compared different bottling dates and series, but that lacks the user friendly nature of a clear date stamped on the bottle and box.

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Whisky: Caol Ila 12 Year (2004) Distiller’s Edition 2016

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 43%

Cask: Bourbon, Moscatel Wine Finish

Age: 12 Years (Distilled 2004, Bottled 2016)

Notes: Soft and sweet, the aroma spoke of sand and sea on a calm autumn day. Dry heather and wispy smoke filled the air with more subtle charred lemons and shellfish. Herbal menthol and muscle rubs, or perhaps cough drops, appeared with mugwort and thyme— we were either preparing a leg of lamb for roasting or watching an apothecary at work. Light-bodied on the palate, the flavor profile hit similar notes, though it was less complex. The soft maritime and grill smoke hung in there with more charred lemons and thyme. A bit of bitter herbs waited on the back with torched sugars and lemon juice, or melted with butter for a fabulous seaside crepe. The finish was medium to long with caramelized citrus, salt, and smoke.

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Score: 7 (81)

Mental Image: Falling into Vacation Mode

Conclusion: I have a penchant for these low abv Caol Ila releases— I also enjoyed the 18 Year and the 25 Year. I wish they were all still as affordable as they were even five years ago, but c’est la vie. This was nice, and it really grew on me greatly over the years. The flavors remained consistent the whole time, and if anything really changed it was the length of the finish. It took me about six years to finish the bottle, about half of that in the last year once I moved it to the front of the cabinet, and it improved nicely, especially as the finish extended out.  Overall, a pleasant sipper, something I have been in the mood for more often lately. With the removal of the vintage statements, I likely will not repurchase.