Oct 2026In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 12 years, Coastal & Maritime.
“This month we celebrate Robin Laing, Whisky Bard and Tasting Panel chair, who passed away in December 2025.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
SMWS 53.527 is a single cask of Caol Ila, in the Islay region, 12 years old, bottled at 59.7%, released in the Oct 2026 Outturn. Every Society bottle numbered 53.x is from Caol Ila.
Specs, price and tasting-note extract from the SMWS. Full notes on smws.com.
Hidden in a cove above Port Askaig, gazing across the churning Sound of Islay to the Paps of Jura, Caol Ila (1846) is the island's largest distillery and the quiet engine-room of Johnnie Walker. On its own, though, it is a beauty: oily and cool, olive brine and lemon and a soft grey smoke. Diageo's.