Caol Ila Moch

For those wishing to explore the light smoker side of malts, this is a great place to start. Don't be afraid, it's a gem of lightly peated quality that might just encourage you to venture beyond your normally safe Speyside and Highland drams.

Taking its name from the Gaelic for ‘dawn’. Caol Ila Moch is the first single malt from the distillery to be selected entirely on the basis of its taste, rather than age, cask wood, strength or finish.

Pale gold in colour with a good viscosity, the nose is unreduced, clean and fresh like wet, salty sand after the tide has receded. Some smoke behind, as from a gentle bonfire.

The mouthfill is filling, oily (not too much and the right type!)

On the palate it hits you as gentle and smooth, sweet and salty with a balancing acidity, and fresh as a sea breeze. The trademark clean and smoky character of Caol Ila is here. Appetising. Adding water, just a drop or 2, don't drown it, gives a smoother, softer, sweeter feel, still very maritime, with a nice texture. Sweetly drying overall.

The finish, although short, drying and warming with a little bitterness, with a lingering light smoky aftertaste.

This is an absolutely straightforward, no nonsense Caol Ila. Crisp, assertive, direct, and unmistakeable. It's a real favourite at our whisky club and I urge you to try it. Just close your eyes and walk on that sandy beach on a evening as the sun goes down. This whisky will take you right there.

Find where to buy Caol Ila whisky