Caol Ila 2009 9 Year Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)

A local retailer invited me some time ago to a private gathering featuring independent bottlers and limited releases, aiming to showcase a world beyond the mainstream brands. As I was driving, I limited my selections and concentrated on the peated whiskies; this is the second review from the three I sampled: - The Maltman (Secret Orkney Distillery) 2005 12 Year Old (Sherry Hogshead) - Hunter Laing's The Old Malt Cask Caol Ila 2009 (9 Year Old) Red Wine Finish - Hepburn's Choice Caol Ila 2009 5 Year Old (Quarter Cask) While The Maltman's 12 Year Old immediately impressed me, I was also eager to try Hunter Laing's Caol Ila. This 9-year-old whisky, distilled in 2009 and matured in a red wine cask until February 2019, is another single cask release with only 385 bottles. Notably, the red wine cask was charred before being filled with this spirit, which definitely contributes to its stunning dark, copper-orange color. I've had Caol Ila 12 before and enjoyed it, but I recall being let down by the 18-year-old. I wondered how this younger sibling would compare. Spoiler: it made my day. The aroma immediately presents a robust peated smoke, complemented by sweet fruit notes. On the palate, there's more delightful peat, accompanied by a whisper of tobacco with pepper and cinnamon, and a medley of sweet fruits - I detect strawberries, apples, berries, oranges... The finish persists for a more than moderate duration, offering a pleasant mix of salt, peat, and smoke, with a hint of raisins. I can only express my gratitude for trying this. It's bold and peaty - more akin to the official 12-year-old than the more subdued 18-year-old - but it possesses significantly more character and smoothness than either. I bought this bottle without much hesitation, and I'm confident I won't regret it. What I might regret, considering there are only about 356 bottles remaining, is the slim possibility of ever replacing it once it's finished. I'm assigning this release 4.75 stars, though I was strongly tempted to award it the full 5. If you appreciate a bold yet balanced peated whisky with a wine finish, don't miss the opportunity to purchase this if you encounter it!

The flavor is quite delicate and carries a hint of smoke. Its hue is paler than typical, a result of the filtration. It is recommended served neat over ice. Ultimately, a pleasant and easy-drinking whiskey.

Diluted