Caol Ila Moch

This is another bottle I received as part of an international shipment some months ago. My experience with Caol Ila is quite limited, particularly with their traditional peated lineup. I've tasted the 12 year old, but all other samples have been from their limited edition, unpeated selections: 15 and 17 years old. This Moch is a relaunch of their new, NAS (No Age Statement) line. It's bottled at 43% and cost me $60, plus shipping. It appears as yellow gold and has an oily texture, producing numerous legs and large, watery droplets when swirled in a Glencairn. The aroma was mainly butterscotch, light earthy peat smoke, and very subtle oak cask influence. The alcohol content was not an issue whatsoever. The taste offered a slight warmth with a pleasant buttery, BBQ smoke. Oak and vanilla notes were present before turning salty and dry after the midpoint of the sip. The finish was of medium duration, peaty yet ultimately salty and dry. I have no complaints about the NAS aspect; it isn't harsh or excessively hot. It effectively provides a light and very accessible experience. In summary, it's a decent offering, though the price is a bit steep for what you get. I could see reaching for this when seeking an Islay-like character without intense flavor complexity. It would also serve as a nice transition during a tasting event, preparing the palate for something more robust or when switching back to unpeated, sherry-finished whisky. Rated 3.5-3.75 stars, but I'd prefer a dram from a friend or try it at a bar for under $7-8 rather than purchasing another bottle. Cheers.

Nose: Very sweet, syrupy, and fruity, reminiscent of a specific Glenrothes bottling I enjoy. Offers sweet marzipan, cranberry-grape juice, and a hint of smoke from the char. Plenty of silky vanilla cream and soft butter cookies, like French madeleines. The nose improves after tasting. Palate: A really pleasant and unique palate. Features interesting peat, continued fruitiness, buttery vanilla, creamy fruit sauce, and later, delicious coffee with cream. Finish: Notably peaty and smoothly sweet. Verdict: I genuinely like it a lot. It was surprising to discover it's Caol Ila, as I haven't had one quite like this before. Typically, Caol Ila exhibits distinct citrus and vanilla, but here, only the vanilla is present, and in a different way, paired with syrupy sweetness. (Avoid adding water; it makes the spirit harsher and drier.)

This presents as a more grounded Caol Ila. Its appearance is pale, yet the green flavors and smoke dominate initially. The bouquet offers hints of sweetness and flowers. I detected notes of pears, apples, vanilla, and a subtle peat. The tongue is more intensely smoky. It also bears a resemblance to a Glen Scotia, bringing a briny, savory character. It's somewhat akin to mushroom gravy. The moderately long conclusion carries hints of the seaside, with a salty sea spray. While I prefer the standard 12-year expression slightly more, it significantly surpasses their non-peated versions in my opinion. It's on the lighter, less viscous side for an Islay, but still respectable. I'm awarding it three stars. Its cost is a bit high due to international acquisition. The soundtrack for this drink is "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" by the Strawberry Alarm Clock.

Caol Ila Workshop Scottish distillery Peated Islay Whiskeys On Thursday, July 11th, a skilled whiskey expert led an excellent workshop at the headquarters of ABS Minas (Brazilian Association of Sommeliers) focusing on Islay peat from the Scottish distillery Caol Ila. Ingá mineral water, an ABS Minas partner, provided ample hydration for everyone attending. During a blind tasting session, four distinct single malts and one blended malt, all featuring peat, were sampled. Following the sensory evaluation of all the whiskeys, the Moch Single Malt was narrowly selected as the third-place finisher in the competition. Kudos to the participants for their performance in the challenge and congratulations to the organizer for putting together such a fantastic event!

Feis Ile 2018 update. I sampled this whisky at the Islay House Hotel, following a recommendation from an employee at Lagavulin and one of the bartenders. It presents as a Caol Ila with more Lagavulin-like qualities, so I can understand its appeal to some and its aversion to others. The nose is quite dry, primarily featuring a vegetal, dried-mushroom peat. The palate offers more traditional Caol Ila vanilla and citrus sweetness, with minimal smoke. The smoke emerges on the finish.

Received as a gift – much appreciated! Nose: Strong salty brine and smoke, with subtle undertones of hard-boiled lemon candy and vanilla. A slight peppery finish. Palate: The smoke and peat become more intense. The vanilla sweetness develops into a buttery Wether's Original candy flavor. Finish: Lingering yet subtle, not an aggressive peat but a sweet, toffee-like warming sensation. An easy-drinking spirit.