Smokehead Islay Single Malt

Smokehead, the misterious single malt from Islay, bottled by Ian Mcleod, comes from one undisclosed Islay distillery. Many people say it is a young Ardbeg, others say a young Lagavulin. The reality is the secret is well kept, and if you ask me, it is Caol Ila. A nice looking bottle, with a skull on its label, that says smokehead and everything about peat makes you think you are going to have an octomore or something, but it really is very easy to drink, super appealing and very sweet. Bottled at 43%abv, burnished gold color. On the nose, it is very complex for what it seems a young whisky. Merthiolate, smoke, vanilla, maritime profile, peat, plastic. A cheap citric note, burning grass, incense, moss and foam. After a second sip gave me fondant, mangrove swamp, metallic as a 1 cent coin, old oranges. On the palate it is very sweet and not peaty nor a skull of a whisky. Chocolate, honeycomb, salt, sulphur, vanilla. Hay and dry grass. Lots of vanilla. Aftertaste is where a mild, pleasant peatiness kicks in. Smoke, pepper, peat, earthy. Long, spicy and sulphuric finish. I believe this is a well crafted, very tasty peaty whisky which happens to be super easy to drink and rather sweet, and that is why it works. For me, this is Caol Ila, because: 1.- Caol Ila is the easiest Islay whisky to buy for independent bottlers, the cask offers are everywhere and they are not expensive. Smokehead is not a expensive bottle. 2.- The cheap citric flavors and aromas are similar to Caol Ila spirits i have had before, specially young independent ones. 3.- the sweetness feels a lot like a Johnnie Walker, and one of their key whiskies for the blend is Caol Ila. 4.- The peat ppm of this dram is too low compared to any Ardbeg Spirit. Any Lagavulin spirit would be too expensive. It could be Bruichladdich, but it doesn't have the soapy profile; it could be Bunnahabhain, but peatiness is not their particular stronghold. Kilchoman is more grapy, and Bowmore is more cigarrette/tobacco. Laphroaig is powerfully medicinal and tennis balls, too different from this one, WHO ACTUALLY RESEMBLES A LOT TO A CAOL ILA. I might be wrong, but that is my analysis on the subject. The whisky is good, i would buy a whole bottle. My score for it is 85 over 100.

Smoky! Definitely need to be in the mood for this one.

Vanilla, peat

It is a big hit of smoke, but it’s nicely balanced with the peat and spice. This is in no way a gimmick- it’s a well thought out whisky

Oh so smokey! If you like fire, this is for you. Overpowering, like licking coal from a camp fire but more pleasant. Feel the burn.

Very peaty and spicy loved it.