I'm more into Lagavulin myself because I was raised on the Bog of Allen and it has a very pronounced peaty flavour.  However Caol Ila is made only just down the road on Islay and it isn't bad for an imitator.  So I will give Crazy Horse a pardon on that...

I had the misfortune to have to visit the Island on a round trip of Scottish Distilleries when I was responsible for producing the original Malts.com - see http://www.malts.com/en-row/learnaboutwhisky/theflavourmap.htm.  It was a tough job but someone had to do it.

notes from no w here