Rare Find Releases 42 Year Old Caol Ila Anniversary Whisky

What makes a whisky worth waiting 42 years for? Rare Find's anniversary Caol Ila offers Cuban cigars, tropical fruits, and ethereal peat smoke in just 42 bottles.
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Rare Find Releases 42 Year Old Caol Ila Anniversary Whisky
Credit: Rare Find

Rare Find has unveiled a 42-year-old single cask Caol Ila whisky to mark the conclusion of its 10th anniversary year. The independent bottler’s release from refill hogshead #1288 contains just 42 bottles at 51.7% ABV and carries an RRP of £999 (~$1,320).

The Islay single malt will be available from select Rare Find stockists starting December 12, 2025.

This release brings the company full circle, as Caol Ila was the source of Rare Find’s inaugural bottling a decade ago.

“Our Caol Ila 42-Year-Old is a whisky of distinction – remarkable not just for its lineage, echoing the spirit of our very first release, but for embodying the essence of everything we pursue: profound depth, genuine authenticity and singular character,” said Derek Mair, founder of Rare Find.

The official tasting notes from the brand describe aromas of Cuban cigars and candied tropical fruits with delicate, earthy peat smoke.

On the palate, the whisky delivers vibrant banana and lemon flavors alongside minerality and elegant, ethereal smoke. The finish is described as exceptionally long and contemplative.

“Decades of patient maturation have sculpted this venerable spirit into an archetype of what Rare Find represents – whiskies defined by character that are pure enjoyment in every sip,” Mair added.

The bottling follows Rare Find’s standard practice of releasing whiskies at natural cask strength with no chill filtration or added coloring.

Founded in 2015, Rare Find has built its reputation on limited releases that emphasize what the company calls “rare by design” – carefully selected single casks bottled without compromise.

The 42-year aging period places this release among the oldest Caol Ila expressions available from any independent bottler, reflecting both the distillery’s capacity for extended maturation and Rare Find’s access to exceptional cask inventory.

Hannah Thompson

Hannah Thompson is a whiskey educator who helps consumers understand everything they need to know to make an informed decision about whiskey investment. She has been working in the secondary whiskey market since 2019 and joined The Whiskey Wash team when Mark Littler took over as Editor in Chief. Working with Mark Littler Hannah has amassed a broad range of whiskey knowledge and specializes in helping consumers make education driven cask investments. Hannah has authored two published works of fiction and her background in research and creative writing lets her create interesting and informative articles to give people a solid understanding of the world of whiskey.

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