Love this whisky, such a smoky and ashy smell, and for the 58% ABV, it hits intense and a little rough, but I think it's smooth as you could expect. Definitely one of my favourites for the price.
I'm equally split on this being Lagavulin or Ardbeg; maybe leaning towards Ardbeg. However the ashiness tastes like it could have been engineered by putting this in casks that have been given a heavy re-char. I get the impression the folks at Ian Macleod Distillers were intent on hitting the smokiest profile possible with this whisky. With the batch my bottle is from, they may have gone a little too far as there's an astringent bitterness to the char. Adding water doesn't really tone it down in that regard, but it does open up the fruitiness a bit. Otherwise, it's actually pretty well balanced for an NAS high-strength peat bomb. There's some medicinal Band-Aid and sour fruits on the nose that turns sweeter and rounder on the palate despite the char. That smoky char lingers on the finish with just a touch of sweet sherry. I'm hoping the bitterness might diminish over time as this bottle gets some air in it. We shall see. Overall, I would give this an 82. If the bitterness fades sufficiently it might get up to 84 or 85.
There is a general, brief statement on the website about it being natural colour and non chill filtered. I am a fan of peated and smokey, but haven’t bought this one yet. However, I have tasted it and enjoyed it immensely. I have picked it up twice, only to put it down and reaching for the Port Charlotte 10…again. I will end up with it eventually. Edit: My apologies. I haven’t tried this one. However, the comment above is accurate and true with regards to the Smokehead Rum Rebel.
Absolutely like everything about it, yes, it is not Arbeg or Laphroaig, but it still tasty as hell. It drinks exceptionally easy for something that has 58 horses under the hood. Definitely like the roasted nuts note, actually came back to this video to recheck your tasting notes to see if you also picked it up. The artwork is kick-ass and complement the whisky, and just as the whisky inside the bottle, it will definitely not suite everyone😁. The only downside about this expression, it is quite a bit more expensive than Arbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 here is South Africa. Smokehead High Voltage comes in at about the R1000 mark (got my bottle on a huge sale for just under R600, that is why I have one😁😁🙈), while Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig10 comes is about the R680 mark, and if have to choose, at the prices given, Ardbeg and Laphroaig is definitely more value for money.
Glad you like it. These younger Islay CS Whiskies aren't always favourites of mine, but I definitely see the appeal. And this one is better than most, it has a heavy sherry influence, which really suits me. It's big, loud, fun stuff. Glad you're liking it!
Good review G! Pretty sure this is unchilfiltered at that strength, it wouldn't make sense for them to bottle it that high and chill filter in a product called SMOKEHEAD. Why would you remove flavour by chill filtering. I do like the Smokestack product if you see that one, which is as usual young, but sweet as anything as well as smoky. As to what is in there, mostly these secondary Islay brands are coming from Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain these days, I'd be very pleasantly surprised if it was Laga though!
Thanks for the feedback! Agree, chill filtering this wouldn't make much sense. With regards to where it's from, Laga doesn't seem like the type of brand to sell off that much distillate if they don't even deal with IBs. All good though, never one to turn down a good CI or Bunna! I'll keep an eye out for smokestack, although don't think I've seen it here in Taiwan. Cheers!
I haven't tried Finlaggan CS but I've had The Ileach. Wasn't a big fan of that one. Way too young, loads of heat and papery notes. Luckily I enjoy Smokehead more. 🙂
Regular Smokehead is a steal. My club had the Sherry Bomb version which is almost 49% ABV but coming in around $170 CND taxes in. Granted, I only had an ounce but found it to ... not be worth the asking. Interested in this one though 🙂
Canadian prices are absolutely insane. This CS expression costs CAD $66 here in Taiwan. Wouldn't dare pay $100+ for any smokehead, nevermind the cask strength!
@@Gwhisky There are deals here, just rarely in my province! We're lucky in that the last few years we've been able to order from a few select neighboring provinces which have great selection (again, another downer about my locality), and much better pricing. It was a different world a good few years ago when the Canadian dollar was on par with the US and prices were so much better down there on whisky. We used to make quite a few trips down to the US and get some great deals. As always, keep up the great work, haven't missed a video yet!
Every time I go back to Montreal I basically only grab the Canadian stuff (Wiser's, Canadian Rockies, etc.). Scotch prices there are often double what they are here in Taiwan!
I just found these on sale for $75 US. I may give it a go but I’m not sure. Speaking of independent bottlers is there any chance any signatory pics can be reviewed?
I've been toying with reviewing IBs. I certainly buy some. Unfortunately because they're so limited in release and often market specific, I'm concerned that they'll be of little interest to a lot of people.
@@Gwhisky Thanks for taking the time out to reply. Upon further review you're right. Availability is inconsistent in many area. I really have only seen IBs in liquor store chains by me. Very rarely does a small store get an IB. Only ones I've seen are the Gordon and MacPhail offerings.
Love this whisky, such a smoky and ashy smell, and for the 58% ABV, it hits intense and a little rough, but I think it's smooth as you could expect. Definitely one of my favourites for the price.
I agree. A really big fun whisky for the price! 🥃
Good review, big G! I recently got the sample pack bundle for Christmas from my partners side of the family - can't wait to try it
It's fun stuff as long as you know what you're in for. I'm sure you'll enjoy! 🥃
I'm equally split on this being Lagavulin or Ardbeg; maybe leaning towards Ardbeg. However the ashiness tastes like it could have been engineered by putting this in casks that have been given a heavy re-char. I get the impression the folks at Ian Macleod Distillers were intent on hitting the smokiest profile possible with this whisky. With the batch my bottle is from, they may have gone a little too far as there's an astringent bitterness to the char. Adding water doesn't really tone it down in that regard, but it does open up the fruitiness a bit. Otherwise, it's actually pretty well balanced for an NAS high-strength peat bomb. There's some medicinal Band-Aid and sour fruits on the nose that turns sweeter and rounder on the palate despite the char. That smoky char lingers on the finish with just a touch of sweet sherry. I'm hoping the bitterness might diminish over time as this bottle gets some air in it. We shall see. Overall, I would give this an 82. If the bitterness fades sufficiently it might get up to 84 or 85.
There is a general, brief statement on the website about it being natural colour and non chill filtered. I am a fan of peated and smokey, but haven’t bought this one yet. However, I have tasted it and enjoyed it immensely. I have picked it up twice, only to put it down and reaching for the Port Charlotte 10…again. I will end up with it eventually. Edit: My apologies. I haven’t tried this one. However, the comment above is accurate and true with regards to the Smokehead Rum Rebel.
Absolutely like everything about it, yes, it is not Arbeg or Laphroaig, but it still tasty as hell. It drinks exceptionally easy for something that has 58 horses under the hood. Definitely like the roasted nuts note, actually came back to this video to recheck your tasting notes to see if you also picked it up.
The artwork is kick-ass and complement the whisky, and just as the whisky inside the bottle, it will definitely not suite everyone😁.
The only downside about this expression, it is quite a bit more expensive than Arbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 here is South Africa. Smokehead High Voltage comes in at about the R1000 mark (got my bottle on a huge sale for just under R600, that is why I have one😁😁🙈), while Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig10 comes is about the R680 mark, and if have to choose, at the prices given, Ardbeg and Laphroaig is definitely more value for money.
Glad you like it. These younger Islay CS Whiskies aren't always favourites of mine, but I definitely see the appeal. And this one is better than most, it has a heavy sherry influence, which really suits me. It's big, loud, fun stuff. Glad you're liking it!
great review, i agree with what you say
Thanks! 🙂
Hmm 10 months after my first comment on this my local dropped these down to $60 USD. I may have to pick it up now.
It's fun stuff!
Good review G! Pretty sure this is unchilfiltered at that strength, it wouldn't make sense for them to bottle it that high and chill filter in a product called SMOKEHEAD. Why would you remove flavour by chill filtering. I do like the Smokestack product if you see that one, which is as usual young, but sweet as anything as well as smoky. As to what is in there, mostly these secondary Islay brands are coming from Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain these days, I'd be very pleasantly surprised if it was Laga though!
Thanks for the feedback! Agree, chill filtering this wouldn't make much sense. With regards to where it's from, Laga doesn't seem like the type of brand to sell off that much distillate if they don't even deal with IBs. All good though, never one to turn down a good CI or Bunna! I'll keep an eye out for smokestack, although don't think I've seen it here in Taiwan. Cheers!
Great review! What about Finlaggan Cask Strength? Have you tried It? I tried Finlaggan Original and it tastes really young. Cheers!!
I haven't tried Finlaggan CS but I've had The Ileach. Wasn't a big fan of that one. Way too young, loads of heat and papery notes. Luckily I enjoy Smokehead more. 🙂
Regular Smokehead is a steal. My club had the Sherry Bomb version which is almost 49% ABV but coming in around $170 CND taxes in. Granted, I only had an ounce but found it to ... not be worth the asking. Interested in this one though 🙂
Canadian prices are absolutely insane. This CS expression costs CAD $66 here in Taiwan. Wouldn't dare pay $100+ for any smokehead, nevermind the cask strength!
@@Gwhisky There are deals here, just rarely in my province! We're lucky in that the last few years we've been able to order from a few select neighboring provinces which have great selection (again, another downer about my locality), and much better pricing. It was a different world a good few years ago when the Canadian dollar was on par with the US and prices were so much better down there on whisky. We used to make quite a few trips down to the US and get some great deals. As always, keep up the great work, haven't missed a video yet!
Every time I go back to Montreal I basically only grab the Canadian stuff (Wiser's, Canadian Rockies, etc.). Scotch prices there are often double what they are here in Taiwan!
Just bought it. On the back label they said caramel has been added on russian
I guess that's not very surprising.
@@Gwhisky By the way, water has been added too. So it’s not a cask strength…I guess it is very very young peat whisky…
I just found these on sale for $75 US. I may give it a go but I’m not sure. Speaking of independent bottlers is there any chance any signatory pics can be reviewed?
I've been toying with reviewing IBs. I certainly buy some. Unfortunately because they're so limited in release and often market specific, I'm concerned that they'll be of little interest to a lot of people.
@@Gwhisky Thanks for taking the time out to reply. Upon further review you're right. Availability is inconsistent in many area. I really have only seen IBs in liquor store chains by me. Very rarely does a small store get an IB. Only ones I've seen are the Gordon and MacPhail offerings.
I got this for $20. Not kidding. It's definitely an experience worth more than that.
Would you prefer Smokehead High Voltage or Scarabus cask strength?
Tough one. Off of memory maybe Smokehead, although it's been a long time since I had it! 🥃
Judging by the colour it's 100% not natural