Smokehead

Not exactly something I’ve been excited for, but something I’ve wanted to try for a while. As a hobbyist, my collection is relatively substantial and not exactly of well-spirit-level value, but I’m still always on the lookout for great budget options in my preferred flavor profile. The kind of thing you can buy often and have regularly rather than buy now and again and have when you get to it. Fortunately when placing an overseas order a mini happened to be in stock so I picked it up and opened it for this review.

Ian Macleod Smokehead, Islay Single Malt, 43% ABV

Minutia: No real information about its distillation and maturation. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Amontillado Sherry; 0.9.

Nose: Smoke, sweetness underneath. Some tar in there.

Taste: Smoke, wood, tarry. Honeyish sweetness, nuts.

Finish: Oaky smoke, sweet nuts. Shorter.

Nothing to complain about, though the mouthfeel is pretty thin. I’ve been spoiled by my recent choices, though. My last 5 reviews have been of whiskies over 50% ABV, and only one of those was in the low 50s. Compared to that it’s a negative, but overall I don’t think it’s a mark against this whisky, particularly given its price. It does what you want it to, Islay flavor that isn’t overwhelming and doesn’t break the bank. I have a number of samples from the range and I’m looking forward to trying them, though it could be a while as they’re all in my Advent calendar sample pool so I can’t even guess when they’re coming.

Score: 81