Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2011 Monologue (52.2%, Chapter 7, Bourbon Barrel #160, 284 Bottles, 2020)

• ABV: 52.2%
• Age: 9 Years Old
• Bottling: Chapter 7, Monologue
• Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £69
• Origin: Caol Ila distillery
• Vintage: 2011

What they say

Caol Ila whisky is different from its Islay neighbours. The smoke is less prominent, for a start. But it’s more than that. It’s mashing. fermentation regime, stills and the cut points are unique. Caol Ila produces a fruity malt that even people who don’t like peat still like. Our Malt Chaser was introduced to peaty whiskies by a well-aged Caol Ila.

This particular cask comes from our stock of Caol Ila hogsheads that we re-racked into first-fill bourbon casks over 3 years ago. We cut this whisky to 52.2% alcohol by volume where we think it tastes best. This Caol Ila is a must-try, for peat lovers and haters alike.

Official tasting notes:

Nose: Bananas, pink shrimp, candy shop, and smoked lavender.

Palate:

Apricot yoghurt, peated custard, citrus candies.

Finish:

Lemon curd, roasted cane sugar, cappuccino

What I say

Exploring the latest releases from Independent bottler Chapter 7 whisky, a total of 5 expressions released late 2020. This expression is from the Islay workhorse distillery Caol Ila. Matured for 9 years in an ex-bourbon barrel.

This post was sponsored by Chapter 7 Whisky by provision of a sample of this product.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark yellow gold (9/20), medium tears and legs.
• Nose: Sweet and medicinal, germolene, vanilla sponge cakes, “dry” slight ashen note, toffee & tar, earthy peat.
• Taste: Medium-bodied, toffee, malt, honey, thins on the palate, vanilla oak wood, dry slate and a hint of salt plus a touch of hot pepper.
• Finish: Long, tarry, bitumen, burnt cask char.

Overall

Sweet and medicinal but I can’t get that germolene in my mouth feeling away, nice but a little sickly.

Score 84/100

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