COAL ILA 11y Special Release 2024 Ambrosial Feast Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This unpeated Caol Ila, featured in Diageo’s Special Releases 2024, showcases a rarely seen style. A short fermentation with cloudy worts imparts a nutty, creamy profile. The use of part-filled stills during distillation increased copper contact, producing a spirit with distinct notes of fresh green orchard fruits.

I spent lots of column inches on the Diageo Special Releases last year, likely not so much this year. The theme hasn’t changed and my thoughts on the series are pretty much the same. However, a friend kindly shared a sample of the Caol Ila 11 Years Unpeated (nicknamed Ambrosial Feast), so here we are.

It’s a style of whisky I’ve very much enjoyed in the past. Bought bottles of even, so I’m kind of excited that it is part of the Diageo Special Releases 2024 once again, because haven’t seen an unpeated Caol Ila since 2018. The big difference is that now rejuvenated ex-wine casks have been used for maturation, which is a cask type that doesn’t always agree with me.


caol ila 11 years unpeated diageo special releases 2024
Caol Ila 11 Years Unpeated (57.3%, OB, Diageo Special Releases 2024)

Nose: The ex-wine casks aren’t not noticeable, shall we say. But it’s not too vinous. And it is actually quite gentle (almost shy) for the most part, with touches of raspberry, a sliver of butter and peanuts. Touches of vanilla pastry too, as well as some almonds.
Taste: Immensely nutty. Loads of barley husks too, but it’s the walnuts and almonds that stand out. And roasted peanut skins too. It comes across youthful. Rather immature. The oak spices are pretty loud. Strong, almost bitter coffee notes. Nothing much coastal about it, which is disappointing. (To clarify, a whisky can be unpeated yet coastal.)
Finish: Medium length. Hints of ristretto, wood char and finally some gentle red fruits.

Source: https://wordsofwhisky.com/caol-ila-11-years-unpeated-diageo-special-releases-2024/?amp=1

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Here is the full transcription of the visible text from the bottle and box in your photos

Front of the Tube

EST. 1846

CAOL ILA™
ISLAY SINGLE MALT
SCOTCH WHISKY

AGED 11 YEARS

SPECIAL RELEASE
2024

AMBROSIAL FEAST

Ascend into creamy, nutty bliss with rays
of green apple and spice

Natural Cask Strength

57.3% vol

70 cl

Distilled, matured and bottled in Scotland

⸻

Back of the Tube

CAOL ILA
ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

AGED 11 YEARS

AMBROSIAL FEAST

WHAT IF THERE WAS A WHISKY
WORTHY OF MYTHICAL AMBROSIA?

Ascend into flavours worthy of legend, and experience taste as if it were wrapped in bright billowy clouds and painted in the hues of highland sunlight. A whisky that could inspire an otherworldly feast.

In this unusual unpeated expression, our Malt Master captures a blissful interplay between rich nutty character and delicious orchard fruit. Shorter fermentation bears cloudy worts that make for a gloriously creamy, nutty mouthfeel; while carefully part-filling our pot stills enacts higher copper contact to bring forth fresh green apple flavours and spicy accents. Matured in refill, rejuvenated and ex-wine casks for 11 years.

An ethereal expression to raise you from the dark weathered rocks of the Islay coast, into beautifully hallowed skies. An indulgent feast for the senses as the clouds part.

SPECIAL RELEASES:
Transportive taste. Crafted by passion.

Scan to discover transportive tastes crafted by passion.

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Bottle Front Label

EST. 1846

CAOL ILA™

ISLAY SINGLE MALT
SCOTCH WHISKY

AGED 11 YEARS

Natural Cask Strength

⸻

Bottle Neck

SPECIAL RELEASES 2024

⸻

Bottle Back Label (bottom)

CAOL ILA DISTILLERY, PORT ASKAIG
ISLE OF ISLAY, PA46 7RL, SCOTLAND

DRINKIQ.COM

Source: Transcribed by ChatGPT March 2026

The Caol Ila Distillery

700 mL

5000281076287

57.3

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

2024

2026-03-08 09:55:00

Diageo Special Release 2024

100

2026-03-08

2026-03-08 09:55:00