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Smokehead

"Kippers & Bits"

3 383

@cricklewoodReview by @cricklewood

27th May 2018

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  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Overall
    83

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This is an NAS single malt from an undisclosed Islay distillery. This brand comes from Ian Macleod's company, who's portfolio includes, Isle of Skye, Glengoyne & Thamdu among others.

Like most of these type of releases there's much speculation on the origin of the casks for this whisky. Many speculate that this is a vatting of young casks of Ardbeg that don't quite meet the company's standards. Let's see.

Nose: Smoked herring, damp cellar, creosote, it leans towards Ardbeg or Laphroaig heavy smoke. Salt, a smidge of vanilla, a little mercurochrome nothing else...maybe salt ham.

Palate: Acrid, earthy, sharp, kelp, oysters, beach bonfire, latex, milky, peat reek.

Finish is all on ashes, saltpetre, brine.

Good uncompromising stuff, all oily fish, milky/latex and ashy smoke. It ticks off all the peat freak boxes, don't look for subtleties. I like this it's very honest.

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3 comments

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

It's been a while, but this sounds like my experience with Smokehead from a few years ago.

In my memory, it and Kelpie are pretty similar. OK, but nothing you want to buy again.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@cricklewood
cricklewood commented

I haven't had the pleasure/displeasure of Kelpie,I haven't had many of the Committee releases and none of the more recent ones, the enjoyment/value doesn't seem worth it, not while the 10 and Oogie are so good.

As for this Smokehead, I actually like it's simple effectiveness, in Quebec it's too close in price to Laphroaig 10 (only 6$ less) to consider seriously purchasing, I think for UK/EU supermarket prices it makes it more of an actual budget option.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@cricklewood @MadSingleMalt I have tried most of the Islay mystery malts; Smokehead, The Ileach, Finlaggan. The best of the bunch was the Finlaggan Cask Strength. As for the others, I agree, Laphroaig 10 or Ardbeg 10 would be money better spent.

5 years ago 3Who liked this?

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