Smokehead Islay Single Malt

Nice and Smokey but not smooth 3 out of 5

Nose: Seaweed, brine and smoke. Palate: Smoky, fruity and sweet. Finish: Short, sweet and fruity. This is not a complex whisky bursting with nuance. It is a very young spirit painted from a limited palette, however what is there is of a high caliber and enjoyable. The profile is simple rather than elegant, but harsh criticism of this whisky misses the point. It's not trying to be Lagavulin 12 year - it is a very young, crisp and basic peated whisky that would be fantastic as a mixer but can still stand up to neat tasting (well, maybe add a good big hunk of ice). Most likely its Caol Ila and around 5 years old, but who knows? What is certain is that the official rating here of 69 is ridiculous. This is a fine, reasonably priced, young workhorse single malt worth at least the same rating as a good mid-shelf blend. It's not the most elegant sipping malt, but for mixing it can't be faulted. "Above Average" : 80/100 (3 stars)

Maybe this lacks finesse, but isn't that the whole point? This may not deserve a 5-star, BUT it definitely does not deserve the trash review it has to date! The scotch is impressive in nose, big time ash tray, and the taste to follow is an Islay oil fire, scorching the shore, as the nearby metal music festival patrons destroy nearby houses and the local rick-house to drink the stuff and add the wooden pieces to the massive shoreline bonfire.