Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 51.4%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon hogshead refill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Chapter 7 Whisky
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: chapter7whisky.com
Vote: 85/100
Here’s a bottling of the most recent releases from Swiss bottler Chapter 7, the first of five bottles part of the batch released in May 2021, in anticipation of the next set of whiskies.
Single cask filled in September 2012 and finished in 301 bottles in April 2021, not at cask strength and sister to another cask a year older that we’ll see later: young Caol Ila are often very interesting, let’s see how this eight-year-old performs.
Tasting notes
Intensely coastal and acrid peat on the nose, with juniper notes wrapping around citrus ones, along with impressions of panforte (Italian cake with spices, almonds, candied oranges and honey) and toasted pine needles. A vein of rhubarb emerges on the length. Outspoken and impetuous.
The opening is lively, with pepper and ginger that tingle with energy on a softer, fruitier body, where peach and apple join crème brûlée, roasted juniper, coffee beans, candied orange and a hint of leather. The smoke is more evident at the end of the sip, permeating the palate.
Quite long and spicy finish of sparkling orange, toasted wood, sweet liquorice, sea foam.
A whisky that doesn’t betray expectations, where Caol Ila fully expresses its youthfulness with its peaty component and non-invasive smoke, and with its uncompromising, direct aromas.
All very primary and with few nuances, but very satisfying.