Caol Ila 1974 versus Caol Ila 1975 for Feis Ile 2026
Do you know that evergreen song by The Connells? It is called ‘74-’75 and we use it as a theme for today’s special Feis Ile tasting. We have on the table a Caol Ila distilled in 1974, and pit it against a Caol Ila distilled in 1975. Even more fun, when I was writing down the credentials of these Islay whiskies, I noticed that both were distilled within weeks from each other. Let’s see how similar they are. Both samples come from the “blind tasting bottle club” I have been in for many years now. Happy Caol Ila Day!
Caol Ila 1974, 20 years old, bottled at 43 % abv by Dun Eideann for Donato & C.
First things first: Cask # 12585 was bottled for Italian importer Donato & C. This Caol Ila was distilled on 27 December 1974, so probably just a couple of weeks before the 1975 below. Bottled in August 1995.
Upon Sipping: Beautifully crisp on the peat, infused with a lot of citrus influences, mostly green lemons. This could almost pass for a peated G&T. Some bacon creeps in, like opening a bag of bacon flavoured crisps, you also smell the packing material. And a weird touch of cinnamon. Yes, peated cinnamon. At 20 years old, this is remarkably devoid of wood influence, making the spirit lean towards a fruity note, bordering on some tropicality, before it leans back towards a strong brine note. Well, this is classic Islay style. With some time to properly breathe, it gets decidedly more medicinal. Quite punchy also, for just 43 % abv, let’s see what water does. The nose breathes more lemons now, but the balance remains impeccable. On the palate, perhaps a bit more earthen notes, but nothing that dampens the experience. This is classic, spirit-driven single malt whisky. From Islay, exclamation point.
Word to the Wise: My original score for this Caol Ila 1974 after tasting it blind was 89 points, but I think I might have been too modest, or tasted it at the wrong time of the day. I will up it a little and make it an even 90 points. Just what it deserves.
Score: 90 points.
Caol Ila 1975, 24 years old, bottled at 43 % abv by Signatory Vintage for Veliers
First things first: Cask # 461 was bottled for Italian importer Veliers. This Caol Ila was distilled in January 1975 and bottled in November 1999.
Upon Sipping: Immediately a waxy attack as soon as you stick your nose in the glass. Candles and sunflower oil. Citrus and grassy notes. Much less medicinal or even peaty compared to the 1974 vintage. Is that the influence of the cask then? Hold on, we give it some time, and then some very dry, earthy peat comes from the glass. Nicely dry and malty on the tongue, but over time also yellow fruit and still some juiciness. The aftertaste is drying and although soft, not without impact. Still, I would like more oomph. With water the citrus increases, and there is a strong whiff of peated vanilla, but otherwise little changes. A slightly bitter aftertaste.
Word to the Wise: This Caol Ila is a tad more simple, and really has difficulty keeping up with the 1974 vintage. A pleasant difference is that this cask displayed a waxy style. Lovely.
Score: 88 points.