alongertable
Smokehead High Voltage
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
October 10, 2020 (edited March 25, 2021)
The first sip feels like being sucker punched by an ash fume that temporarily took a corporeal form. Ashy, then creamy, then back to smokey. Very long finish - the cigarette-like nose and flavour sticks around long after the drink has gone down the gullet.
As this is my first foray into peaty scotch, my rating might change in the future. For now, I would say it certainly makes an emphatic statement about what to expect from this category of whiskies.
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@alongertable
@alongertable Glad to hear! And there are so many great bourbons that I’ve been trying to get my scotch-drinking friends into. Talisker, Laphroaig, and Oban from most smokey/peaty to least - but I’d say it’s also from best to worst in that order. Not sure if that’s just because I’ve grown to like smoke though! Highland is a great starter!
@owenbrown Oh definitely not put off! Guess I wasn't very clear, but the attention-grabbing character of this peaty scotch is actually intriguing. Thank you for the suggestions, have put them on the to-try list. My journey into scotch just got waylaid for the moment by bourbon, but once I there's room in my shelf (and budget!) again, am definitely hoping to try some of your suggestions. Two questions: Which of the three woud you rate from least to most overwhelmingly smokey? And, what about Highland Park 12 as a gateway peaty scotch? Would that be a good option?
Oh dear! Don’t give up peat from this one. Venture into Laphroaig, Oban, and Tallisker for incredibly tasty peaty drams :)