Guess who’s back, back again, Ben is back, back again, guess who’s back... cue the Attenborough voiceover: ‘after several weeks of hibernation, the whisk geek awakens in his lair and immediately nails the first review he does. This gives him the advantage over the whisky marmot, who sleeps for several more weeks and frankly can’t be buggered at all.’ Great review Ben, good to see you!
Great breakdown of the aromas and flavour profiles, Ben. I'd gamble that the distillery concerned doesn't want its name on the label as these drops come from casks that are a bit tired and over the hill. And you're right: everyone wants a slice of the magic pie that the name "Islay" automatically conjures up. On the other hand, Ian Macleod also owns the "As We Get It" label, and they have an exciting Islay cask strength bottle in their range which definitely deserves a try. The bottlings seem to come out in batches with varying ABVs (59 to 61%) but they're always from ex-bourbon casks, unchillfiltered and natural colour. Recommended. Cheers!
Really interesting thoughts on these bottles Ben! Enjoyed hearing your perspective on them as you journeyed through them trying to make heads or tails of what was going on and what distilleries might be involved. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I have had the standard smokehead at 43%. I agree wholeheartedly that what I had anyway started off good and fell away. Was going to say before you mentioned Lagavulin, that it reminded me of it, being at 43% and coloured but a poor man's version. I picked it up for £22 in Morrisons so for the money not too bad. Perhaps each initiation of it comes from a different distillery from Islay ,?
Good to see you back again Ben. Ive had a few lan Macleod expressions and on the whole I like them,haven't had these two but have had the normal 43%er. Well explained and competent review 👍. Now with these secret distillery bottles from the IB's I think they also buy new made spirit and buy older (keeps the price down ) casks from different Islay distilleries and then mature it is themselves so we get a muddled taste and the distillery is hard to pin down, or maybe not?see you soon?👍🥃
another fantastic review Ben very in depth and informative. l like the Ian macleod distillery brands but the smokehead brand just does not appeal to me and is not something that l would ever buy but great to hear your thoughts on it
Where you bin, young ninja!?!? One bottle of those is plenty enough. Having tasted both, it's an enigma I can't be bothered to pursue - accurate scores. That said, a 50/50 mix of A'Bunadh and Ardbeg 10 "shits all over" - (TM Charles Maclean) the so-called sherry bomb - and you'd know its' provenance. Slanjeevaurus 🐢
It looks to me like the Smokehead brand is made up from barrels that were rejects of the distilleries that made them... No wonder their bottles havre no distillery statements! I only ever had one bottle of Smokehead, and compared to every other Islay whisky that I had open at the time it fell far short in flavor and/or quality.
Considering that I can get an Ardbeg Uigeadail or Corryvreckan for less then what I'd have to pay for the Smokehead Sherry Bomb... I guess I'll stick with the Ardbeg. Also, I found a couple of german shops who actually list Ardbeg as distillery for the Smokehead Sherry Bomb.
Why no distillery name? From what I've heard independent bottlers buy the juice from the distillery either with or without the right to put their name on the bottle. Now I don't know about the details of such negotiations, but the answer could be as banal, as that the latter option is the cheaper one.
Guess who’s back, back again, Ben is back, back again, guess who’s back... cue the Attenborough voiceover: ‘after several weeks of hibernation, the whisk geek awakens in his lair and immediately nails the first review he does. This gives him the advantage over the whisky marmot, who sleeps for several more weeks and frankly can’t be buggered at all.’
Great review Ben, good to see you!
malty mission. This was brilliant! 😂
lol
Just found your channel, absolutely great reviews I found valuable and helpful.
Great to see you back again Ben. Fantastic breakdown of the both whiskies and a great, honest review. Cheers buddy.
Wonderful video. Great to have you back doing video reviews again. Looks like I can steer away from these for awhile. Thanks!
Good to see you, Ben!!
Great breakdown of the aromas and flavour profiles, Ben. I'd gamble that the distillery concerned doesn't want its name on the label as these drops come from casks that are a bit tired and over the hill. And you're right: everyone wants a slice of the magic pie that the name "Islay" automatically conjures up. On the other hand, Ian Macleod also owns the "As We Get It" label, and they have an exciting Islay cask strength bottle in their range which definitely deserves a try. The bottlings seem to come out in batches with varying ABVs (59 to 61%) but they're always from ex-bourbon casks, unchillfiltered and natural colour. Recommended. Cheers!
As we get it - good call
Very cool comparison. I have not had any smoke head ad of the two, I think I would chase down the Sherried bottle. Thanks for the thoughts! Cheers!
It's been quite awhile since I've seen one of your wonderfully in-depth, geeky reviews--I sure miss them! I hope you and your family are doing well.
You been mia for a while. Hope all good! We love your detailed reviews!
Great to see you back on screen! Honest review of sth I wasn’t sure about either! Hope sleep deprivation is slowly becoming normal 🤪😎
Really interesting thoughts on these bottles Ben! Enjoyed hearing your perspective on them as you journeyed through them trying to make heads or tails of what was going on and what distilleries might be involved. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Ben noticing we haven't heard from you since all this CV began. Hope you and your family are healthy and safe through this. Cheers
Just found your channel, working through the reviews, enjoying them a lot. Hope you are able to continue adding content. Cheers
I have had the standard smokehead at 43%. I agree wholeheartedly that what I had anyway started off good and fell away.
Was going to say before you mentioned Lagavulin, that it reminded me of it, being at 43% and coloured but a poor man's version.
I picked it up for £22 in Morrisons so for the money not too bad.
Perhaps each initiation of it comes from a different distillery from Islay ,?
Hey Ben,,great honest review as usual,cheers buddy,👍
Awesome review Ben. I haven't tried the extra rare but I do enjoy the sherrybomb from time-to-time. Hope the family are well :)
I've avoided them so far and, judging by your take on them Ben, it sounds like I haven't really missed out by doing so. Cheers.
Good to see you back again Ben. Ive had a few lan Macleod expressions and on the whole I like them,haven't had these two but have had the normal 43%er. Well explained and competent review 👍. Now with these secret distillery bottles from the IB's I think they also buy new made spirit and buy older (keeps the price down ) casks from different Islay distilleries and then mature it is themselves so we get a muddled taste and the distillery is hard to pin down, or maybe not?see you soon?👍🥃
another fantastic review Ben very in depth and informative. l like the Ian macleod distillery brands but the smokehead brand just does not appeal to me and is not something that l would ever buy but great to hear your thoughts on it
Always like how you review whiskies; step by step and your descriptions. How come you did not mention Ileach?
Where you bin, young ninja!?!? One bottle of those is plenty enough. Having tasted both, it's an enigma I can't be bothered to pursue - accurate scores. That said, a 50/50 mix of A'Bunadh and Ardbeg 10 "shits all over" - (TM Charles Maclean) the so-called sherry bomb - and you'd know its' provenance. Slanjeevaurus 🐢
Love the red flag intro discussion. I felt exactly the same things.
Happy Easter my friend.
It looks to me like the Smokehead brand is made up from barrels that were rejects of the distilleries that made them... No wonder their bottles havre no distillery statements! I only ever had one bottle of Smokehead, and compared to every other Islay whisky that I had open at the time it fell far short in flavor and/or quality.
What happened to your usual COOL MUSIC in the background? (last year and before)
Considering that I can get an Ardbeg Uigeadail or Corryvreckan for less then what I'd have to pay for the Smokehead Sherry Bomb... I guess I'll stick with the Ardbeg.
Also, I found a couple of german shops who actually list Ardbeg as distillery for the Smokehead Sherry Bomb.
Haven't seen you in a while Ben😉
Did I miss the scores?
Why no distillery name? From what I've heard independent bottlers buy the juice from the distillery either with or without the right to put their name on the bottle. Now I don't know about the details of such negotiations, but the answer could be as banal, as that the latter option is the cheaper one.
some say Smokehead Extra Rare is just watered down to 40% Ardbeg 10/
No video in 1 year, is he done or what?
Distracted with my 2 year old son 😉
The names alone kept me away from these whiskeys. Seems like they are less than serious, names sound like gimmicks to my ears.
Come on back Ben. Come on now.
Next video bro from india..
Ha’Way Ben how about some new content?