Tastes

Straightforward islay peat. Not super complex but as a budget peaty scotch, a bit hard to miss.

Very sweet, a bit thin. Good for mixing or bbqing but not one for the glencairn.

Punches pretty hard for a $32 islay at 80pf. Definitely one to keep around as a value priced islay.

VERY bourbon cask forward. Strong with the caramel, vanilla and malt funk. Some sherry apparent. Different from the regular Slane release but at least as good.

Nose os very fruity with the typical malty funk. The taste brongs it back to buttery shortbread typical of Irish but theres orange marmalade and a dry sawdust note. Richer than youd expect a 80 pf whisky to be.

This is solid! Super oaky and fruity (lots of cherry/peach here) and a good bit of toasted marshmallow.

The nose is like honey on shortbread with a whiff of green apple. Taste is really similar, but more vanilla. This could easily pass as a bourbon casked Speyside scotch. Reminds me a lot of Glenlivet 12 but about $12 cheaper.

I consider myself a Tullamore Dew man but damn if Kilbeggan doesn’t bring it. This is $20-$25 depending on sales in Oregon which makes it a budget whisky. But it’s quality stuff. Right down the home plate of Irish blends, it’s not reinventing the category (although Kilbeggan does have some offerings that are off the Irish path) but it’s just a good product at a good price. Cant argue with that!