Caol Ila 12 year 

Another day, another Islay.

As you can tell by the glass I'm drinking out of, 7 straight days of whisky has left be running low on proper glasses.

This is, by my count, the 4th Islay whisky in the 7 days of drinks thus far. As an Islay fan, this is certainly not a bad thing. I've never had Caol Ila before, so I was hoping I was in for a treat.

I was.

This is a mild Islay; you get the whiff of peat and smoke when you pour, but it's not overpowering. It's strong, but it doesn't make the whole room smell like the morning after a bonfire.

It's got a wonderful taste. You immediately get the smoke and peat, but as you continue (and as you let the whisky linger a bit), you pick up the salt and sea of a good Islay. Rounding it all out, there's just some nice sweetness there—I'm not experienced enough a drinker to pick up what it is, but it's a nice touch.

This is just a great, well rounded Islay. Probably a great one to start with if you're not sure the strongest of the whiskies is for you.

(And, it turns out, if you've ever had Johnnie Walker, you may have had some Caol Ila, as it's used in their blends.)