Kirkland Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This hits all the Islay notes but with a bit of restraint.

Like a laphroig but less flavor in every way, then add some cloying sweetness that feels out of place but thankfully stays in the background

Smokey on the nose (with a hint of bandaid?) and smokey/sweet on the palette. Not my favorite but for the price it's a great deal.

Bready peat. Sweetened, earthy, dried fruits, tinny peat. A bit thin but decent for the price.

I've heard much about the potential of Kirkland liquors and I've had their XO cognac, which I found to be good but not great. Walking through the local Costco yesterday and I noted this bottle boasted a 50% ABV. That's serious for a scotch and I immediately found this bottle interesting enough to grab one. Tasted neat from a NEAT tasting glass last night for the first time. The nose is restrained. There is the expected iodine, peat, slight honeysuckle and a trace of salty or marshy elements. It's all pretty toned down, though. On the taste buds this is slightly sweet, slightly smokey and peaty but not over the top. Actually it reminds me of a slightly less nuanced version of a Signatory 8yr Caol Ila I had. Creamy, nicely flavored but lacking in ultimate complexity, slightly hot with a pepper finish. I like this better than Ardbeg Wee Beastie - it's not nearly as peaty but it does hold its own. It's better integrated, imho. Ardbeg 10, Lagavulin 8, Laphroaig 10, Caol Ila 12 are all easily better. They are also all about twice the price. My real interest in this bottle is for cocktails. I'm thinking Drunk Uncles and Rob Roys over the holiday season. I think this might be perfect for that application. I'll let you know... Regardless of ultimate rating know that this is a screaming deal. $37 for a very respectable 100 proof Islay scotch single malt whisky is a winner every day in my book. Recommended!

It taste like charcoal and grease