Single Malt
Scotland
Highlands and Islands Whisky Company
Yes
A great Islay single malt from an unnamed distillery. The Ileach always scores well with the critics, this cask strength edition was awarded a mindblowingly high 97 points by Jim Murray in his 2010 Whisky Bible.
En ung single malt direkt från pannan. Ung för djupet har inte hunnit komma. Men smaken och röken är ändå av hög klass. Mycket intressant, men inte i längden.
First of all: this is not a complex whisky, and it tastes pretty young. Also, it's definitely not chill-filtered, and it's loaded with e150. Having said that, it can be a very enjoyable whisky. Although I've found the experience various enormously depending on how much water is added. Straight from the bottle it's pretty harsh (even for 58%), but water it down too much and the harshness gives way to an unpleasant, "artificial tasting" sweetness. Find the sweet spot though and you've got yourself a decent, if uncomplicated, peaty Islay whisky. Also, it's fantastic value for money.
After reading reviews here and elsewhere, I was really looking forward to tasting this. I was, however, disappointed. The colour interested me first: either this had been matured in Glendronch-quality Oloroso casks or 'something' had been added to achieve this hue. The nosing and tasting seemed to me to suggest the latter was the case. Now, to be clear, I do enjoy the big Islay malts - Cask Strength 10yo Laproaig is a favourite, and I've enjoyed bottles of cask strength Caol Isla, Bowmore and Ardbeg. So, I was expecting a huge surge of smoke and peat on the nose but what I got, I felt, was rather tame and subdued. Similarly, the taste left me feeling a bit cheated and there was too much of a caramel flavour in the finish. As for price, which others seem to think is very competitive, I can regularly pick up Bowmore for £25 and Laphroaig 10 and Bunnahabhain 12 for £28 and I would rather pay these prices than over £40 (incl postage)for these, to me anyway, more satisfying drams.
I may be biased as a big peaty fan with Laphroaig being my first ever whisky and until now quarter cask being my favourite. But I cannot lie this is a contender for the top spot. I echo the comments regarding cask strength. I always like to taste every one on their own before adding water to make sure it is required as more often than not I prefer whisky on its own. But this is 58% so water is a must but make sure it's the right amount, not too much or too little just what suits the individuals palate because this truly is a beautiful whisky which for me competes with uigeadail, quarter cask and lagavulin 16 as my favourite.
Like all really great malts, this one edges towards the indefinable; there's a lot going on once you get past the 58% alcohol. Grab it while it is still cheap because I doubt it will remain so.
