Caol Ila Moch

This is another bottle I had thrown in with an international order several months back. My experience with Caol Ila is rather limited, especially with their traditional peated range. I’ve had the 12 year, but everything else I’ve sampled has been from their limited released, unpeated line: 15yo and 17yo. This Moch is a re-issue of their new, NAS line. It’s bottled at 43% and cost me $60, plus shipping. It’s yellow gold, oily and makes tons of legs and big, watery drops when you spin it in your favorite Glencairn. The nose was primarily butterscotch, light earthy peat smoke and very faint oak cask. No issues with the ABV whatsoever. The palate was slightly warming with a nice buttery, BBQ smoke. There was hints of oak and vanilla before it turned salty and dry after mid sip. The finish was medium in length, peaty yet ultimately salty and dry. I don’t have any issues with the NAS aspect here: it isn’t abrasive or overly hot. It does a nice job at being light and very approachable. Overall, it’s solid although the price point is a bit high for what you’re getting. I could see turning to this when you want a little something Islay-esque, without the crazy flavor complexity. It would also be a nice shift in the middle of a tasting event as you prepare your palate for something heavier or as you switch back to unpeated, sherried whisky. 3.5-3.75 stars, but I think I’d bum a pour or try it in a bar for under $7-8 instead of buying another bottle. Cheers.

(Vita Dulcis Advent Calendar 14/24) Nose: very sweet fruity syrupy nose that reminds me of a Glenrothes single cask from Claxton’s from my shelve, very familiar and likable for that reason because I love that Glenrothes, sweet marzipan, sweet cranberry-grape-juice, some good bid of smoke as well in the back (not so much BBQ-peaty but more from the char), there also is plenty of silky vanilla cream, soft butter cookies, French madeleines - the nose gets even better after the initial taste Palate: really nice palate, very unique unlike anything I had before, now there is an interesting peat for sure, also very sweet fruity still, again buttery sweet vanilla and creamy fruit sauce, later delicious coffee with cream Finish: again really peaty and smoothly sweet Verdict: I like it actually quite a lot, after revealing that this is Caol Ila I was surprised again. I know and like Caol Ila but I have never had one like this before, usually Caol Ila has noticeable citrus and vanilla notes - here I only got the vanilla but different to how I know it in combination with that syrupy sweetness. (Don’t add water - it makes it more rough and dry)

This is more of an earthy Caol Ila... The color is light, but the vegetative notes and peat are up front. Sweet and floral notes show up as well on the nose. Pears, apples, vanilla, peat...slight though. The palate is heavier on the smoke. This also reminds me a little bit like a Glen Scotia. It has some maritime, savory goodness. Almost like a mushroom gravy... A medium finish of seashells... Salty brine. I do like the standard 12 a little better, but to me it's a hell of a lot better than their unpeated offerings. On the thin and light side for Islay, but not shabby. Going to give it a straight up 3 stars. A little overpriced because you have to get if from overseas. The theme for this dram is "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" by the Strawberry Alarm Clock.

Caol Ila Workshop Scottish distillery Peated Islay Whiskeys This past Thursday, 7/11, whiskey specialist PJota Tomé led a beautiful workshop at the headquarters of ABS Minas (Brazilian Association of Sommeliers) on Islay peat produced by the Scottish distillery Caol Ila. ABS Minas partner, Ingá mineral water, kept all participants very well hydrated. In a blind tasting, peated examples of 4 different single malts and 1 guest blended malt were tasted. And after the sensorial analysis of all the whiskeys, in a close vote, the Moch Single Malt was chosen as the third in the competition Congratulations to the participants for their performance in the race and congratulations to PJota for organizing this incredible event!

Feis Ile 2018 update. I had a dram of this whisky at Islay House Hotel, on the recommendation of a person who works at Lagavulin and one of the bartenders. It’s a more Lagavulin-like Caol Ila, so I can see why some will like it and some will be put off. The nose is very dry, mainly featuring a vegetal, dried-mushroom peat. The palate has more classic Caol Ila vanilla and citrus sweetness, and very little smoke. The smoke shows up on the finish.

Gifted as a K.K present - thanks again! Nose: Strong briney salt and smoke with subtle hints of hard-boiled lemon candy and vanilla. A little peppery at the end. Palate: The smoke and peat intensifies. The sweetness of the vanilla progresses to more of a buttery Wether's Original lolly. Finish: Long but subtle - not a peat punch in the face but a sweet toffee-esque heartwarming after taste. An easy drinker.