LeeEvolved
Caol Ila Moch
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
October 6, 2018 (edited October 21, 2024)
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.
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@Rick_M @LeeEvolved $575...hell no. Hard pass.
@LeeEvolved, @PBMichiganWolverine - Ardbeg’s website is selling for £440 ($572), but they don’t ship to US, nor would I pay that much.
@PBMichiganWolverine - yeah, I can’t really recommend the 21. It really just didn’t offer up the kind of complexity you’d expect from the long slumber. Plus, it obviously needs some time in a sherry cask like the 23. I see the new 22 just went on sale on 10/4 on Ardbeg’s website, initially only to Committee Members @ $575usd.
@LeeEvolved I don’t mind buying a sample. A full bottle won’t be worth it, unless I’m trying to do a series ( which I can’t...missing the 21). Instead I’d rather get the Balvenie 25—it’s gotten great reviews. But...I won’t...
@Rick_M - Hmm, I just found a bottle for the measly sum of $799. How many can I pencil you in for, sir?
@PBMichiganWolverine - it definitely won’t be worth the price, but since it’s part of the Twenty Something Series I’ll probably buy a bottle just to keep the set complete. I doubt I’ll buy 2 this time, tho.
@LeeEvolved you have your sights on that? Not sure I see the point. Either it’ll be good, but not as good as 23. Or it’ll not be worth the price
@PBMichiganWolverine - yes, it better be cheap or I’m not biting.
@PBMichiganWolverine - yeah, it’s also called Twenty Something- I guess that’s the series name now. The new one is supposedly the old 21 year old, ex-bourbon cask stuff aged another year, ala 22yo.
@LeeEvolved @Rick_M isn’t there a new Ardbeg now? A 22?
@Rick_M - ironically, I just won 5 bottles on scotch whisky auctions today. Woohoo! Yeah, that Ardbeg is resting comfortably in my safe and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
@LeeEvolved - scotchwhiskyauctions.com finished today and 5 bottles of the 2016, 21yo all sold for $458, when you add in exchange rate and buyers premium. I’d hold onto that puppy for a while. It will be selling for over $1,000 in 3-4 years. :)
@PBMichiganWolverine - the truly sad part is that the Ardbeg 21 wasn’t worth the $375 I paid for it- and I’m stuck with a second bottle I have little to no desire to drink. Now that Ardbeg Twenty Something 23- it’s worth every penny. It might be the best whisky I’ve ever had. It’s surely the best Islay...
@LeeEvolved reminds me of my mom, in a good way. She used to cut coupons and have these super-coupon deals ready in hand at Shop Rite. Used to say “ I got ten pounds of tomatoes for the price of a pound”. Of course, for the rest of the month, we just ate tomatoes
@Rick_M - looking back, it was the Ardbeg 21 in 2016 and I had a 25% off coupon so I got it for $375. Saved $125 each. I bought 2, lol.
@LeeEvolved - Ardbeg Twenty Something for $400??? You bastard you! :)
@Rick_M - is it really swindling when you take advantage of the state’s Black Friday coupon to purchase a $500 Ardbeg? I only saved $100 lol
@LeeEvolved - yes, but as I recall, you have also swindled the state of Virginia on occasion, due to there lack of whisky expertise. Some day you need to put this skill to good use. :)
@Rick_M - you have to comparison shop, especially here in the US. The state of Virginia’s set pricing is usually 20% higher than the best deals you can find stateside, but UK pricing is always better- if you can survive the shipping rates and customs.
@LeeEvolved - man, I thought I was bad looking for deals. No bottle is safe with you around. :)
@Scott_E - I’ve used several. Master of Malt is out now, but TheWhiskyExchange.com, WhiskyWorld.com always have a nice selection, but their prices have to be studied- some deals are good but some are horribly overpriced. I’ve made a few purchases from stores in The Netherlands: bestofwhisky.com and MustHaveMalts.com. Mostly, I’ve been winning bottles at Scotch Whisky Auctions. If you go in well-informed of values you can find deals, but the buyers premium and shipping to the US is very high. You have to calculate that into your bids to see if they’re really worthwhile. Good luck, Scott.
@LeeEvolved Do you have a goto retailer where you place your orders or do you scour?