Moch is Gaelic for dawn, and this release from Caol Ila is an altogether lighter prospect than the distillery's excellent 12 year old standard expression.
Lemon sherbet and apple crumble topping with custard. Dry grass and not a hint of smoke.
Sweet lemon meringue pie and soft, very soft mouthfeel. The peat hits a third of the way in but it's restrained; soothing wood smoke rather than burning tyres, and it retains a sweetness throughout.
Soft drying smoke.
A tasty, easy drinking Islay that's pulled back on peat but not on flavour.
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This is initially a lovely whisky, but after a few months of regular use I found it became more chemical (burnt rubber) at least initially when poured into the glass, so I poured it onto an ice cube in the glass then removed the ice after 20 seconds just to cool down and dilute the whisky a little. I found that this mostly returned it to its former self (but why I gave it 4.5 stars). Giving it a Gaelic name might be a bit of contrived marketing but it is certainly evocative of dawn on a Scottish island, with all the Islay complexity pared back and slowly surging on the tongue. Caol Ila always reminds me of roasted ham - either mustard or cloves, and in this blend the flavour is better restrained than the 12 year, whilst still distinguishing it from other Islay malts.
One of the best bang for the buck around. I prefer it over Caol Ila 12. This one is more balanced. The nose is crisp and clean, almost cristalline, the peat is highly present but not overwhelming. The mouth is round and balanced, peat, herbs, you really feel like actually tasting the islay island and the lifestyle there. Incredible. The finish is long, the malt is fading first and the peat transforms to smoke as it lingers. Absolutely fantastic. Better than 12. One of the best islay at this price range.
This is one of the best single malts I've tasted in the smoke segment. Lagavullin 16, talisker 10, ardbeg, laphroaig, highland park. Caol ila moch is among the legends.
Not as strong as I would have expected. Good choice to start with this kind of products or you want a lighter version of a Smoky one.
Love at first sip.
