I just picked this up from Total Wine and it is my first ever Islay scotch. The iodine and brine always kind of scared me. But this, it is pretty good! I got vanilla salt and apple on the nose. The taste is very hefty. I got a little vegetal note before it moved into a meaty note. It kind of reminds me of processed deli meat with all the salt. And the finish feels like campfire smoke. It isn't as easy of a drinker as my typical bourbon, but I am glad it is on my shelf since it is different than my norm.
I like reviewing whisky without knowing any information on the whisky except what is on the label. This way I don’t get contaminated by someone else’s views and notes. Like your reviews. Always well done.
I just caught this review and agreed with it all the way. When you mentioned my name I was surprised and pleased that you pronounced my last name correctly. Total Wine does push their Spirit Direct products but those include some major brands and some like Scarabus is pretty good. Keep up the good work.
It’s a cracking whisky. Not tried the 10 year old yet but will get to it. The overriding view is it’s Caol Ila which makes sense. It’s definitely got some notes of that…..great review
I have had the Scarabus in mind for a while but it is a Total Wine only product and I don’t get down there that often. I have had other Total Wine whiskey and have not been disappointed. They tend to be tasty and priced below what they probably could get. Plus, TW often sends out coupons for their house brands. So I am going to pick this up because with my coupon I can get it for $25. How could I possibly go wrong!
ive had this one for almost a year now, i still enjoy it very much! i have the 10 yo sitting on my desk still closed, waiting for a nice evening to try it out, will let you know how it is! :D
Interestingly enough, it's pretty much sold out in England (not sure about the rest of the UK) though I did find it in one of the bigger London whiskey shops. It's about £32 here.
Damn, I didn't know the person at Total Wine actually claimed it was Ardnahoe - that's bullshit. TW ought to be better than that, geez. I have a bottle of this that I bought...probably back in May. Haven't opened it, but I'm eager to do so after watching your review. Cheers!
I’m sure this is a decent whisky but I want to wait and try some ardnahoe juice. I have plenty other other great Caol Ilas, if that is what this is. I believe that Ardnahoe first put their own juice in a barrel on November 9th 2018, so it will be a while before they can sell anything that is a scotch whisky.
I tried it and I felt it had an off taste a kinda very weak muddy taste.......it just didn't grab me in any way.I finished the and will not purchase another.It might have been better if it was a bit sweeter though I don't like sweet whiskey.I love your reviews......Thank You!
Oh my did you mangle the name of that celebration. LOL. I think based on prior relationships that this is a young Port Charlotte. Hunter is the owner of the new Ardnahoe Distillery opened in 20219 and pulled their 1st dram last Fall.
Sorry about that. I do what I can to get pronunciation correctly. Look up videos, typically of owners of distilleries or other relevant people given the topic. How would you pronounce it?
Funny, this comment has only happened maybe 3 or 4 times in the nearly 10 year history of my channel. Sorry if this one wasted your time, but I'm glad you enjoyed the Scarrabus! For my own info, what do you consider the point? The nosing and tasting? The brand info? My recommendation?
If I was Ardanhoe I would be having a lawyer sending a cease and desist order immediately to TW about straight up lying to customers where it came from. Cheers
@@WhiskeyCrusaders would be awkward for Ardanhoe lawyers to send a cease and desist order when both Scarabus and Ardanhoe are owned by Hunter Laing Co. the employee should be better informed but it’s an easy mixup
Thank you for the review. I've looked at this for some time now. This and the 10yo and Batch Strength. (Actually not named Cask Strength..🤔) But this bottle goes for $55 USD here in Sweden, so then it's more expensive than a lot of other great islays. So that makes me wanna pass this bottle. The 10yo is $65 and the Batch Strength is $67.
![Scarabus Islay Single Malt [Hunter Laing] Review](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IA13PGtFQfg/mqdefault.jpg)
I just picked this up from Total Wine and it is my first ever Islay scotch. The iodine and brine always kind of scared me. But this, it is pretty good! I got vanilla salt and apple on the nose. The taste is very hefty. I got a little vegetal note before it moved into a meaty note. It kind of reminds me of processed deli meat with all the salt. And the finish feels like campfire smoke. It isn't as easy of a drinker as my typical bourbon, but I am glad it is on my shelf since it is different than my norm.
I like reviewing whisky without knowing any information on the whisky except what is on the label. This way I don’t get contaminated by someone else’s views and notes. Like your reviews. Always well done.
My wife picked up a bottle of Scarabus for me for Christmas, based on this review. My first Islay!! Will likely crack it open for New Year's! Cheers!!
Enjoy!
I just caught this review and agreed with it all the way. When you mentioned my name I was surprised and pleased that you pronounced my last name correctly. Total Wine does push their Spirit Direct products but those include some major brands and some like Scarabus is pretty good. Keep up the good work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m a fan. I bought 4 bottles at $29.99. It’s an incredible value especially if you’re an Islay lover like me.
Great thoughts on this. Certainly I see many people picking it up around here. I think I will bring it home one day. Cheers!
For the record, most of the higher strength Total Wine scotches I've tried have been pretty good. I had a 46% Islay Gold which was excellent.
Port Askaig?
It has been on my 'to buy' list for quite some time, but I have to cross the river, to go out of state, to obtain it (and Springbank).
Sounds like I need to get one of these. Cheers
I think youll like it
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary cool, next time I see one I will have to grab it. Cheers
I'm under the impression that almost all of the Mystery Malts coming from Islay are from Caol Ila because of their production capacity.
Thanks!
I just realized I never thanked you for the SuperThanks. TH-cam isn't the best at alerting me to comments. Thank you. Even if 2 years late :/
It’s a cracking whisky. Not tried the 10 year old yet but will get to it. The overriding view is it’s Caol Ila which makes sense. It’s definitely got some notes of that…..great review
I have had the Scarabus in mind for a while but it is a Total Wine only product and I don’t get down there that often. I have had other Total Wine whiskey and have not been disappointed. They tend to be tasty and priced below what they probably could get. Plus, TW often sends out coupons for their house brands. So I am going to pick this up because with my coupon I can get it for $25. How could I possibly go wrong!
ive had this one for almost a year now, i still enjoy it very much! i have the 10 yo sitting on my desk still closed, waiting for a nice evening to try it out, will let you know how it is! :D
Definitely do!
Another great review. Sounds like a great deal for the price when next I need to add to my peat collection.
Thanks Steve :)
Interestingly enough, it's pretty much sold out in England (not sure about the rest of the UK) though I did find it in one of the bigger London whiskey shops. It's about £32 here.
Hunter Laing is a good independent bottler. If you like heavily peated whisky, pick this one up at TotaWine. Good value at $32!
Damn, I didn't know the person at Total Wine actually claimed it was Ardnahoe - that's bullshit. TW ought to be better than that, geez.
I have a bottle of this that I bought...probably back in May. Haven't opened it, but I'm eager to do so after watching your review. Cheers!
Yea, I was so excited
I’m sure this is a decent whisky but I want to wait and try some ardnahoe juice. I have plenty other other great Caol Ilas, if that is what this is. I believe that Ardnahoe first put their own juice in a barrel on November 9th 2018, so it will be a while before they can sell anything that is a scotch whisky.
Yup. My best info says they're still looking a couple years down the line
Here in British Columbia Canada the same bottle sells for 79.99.a little pricey for my liking but everything in this country is pricey.
I tried it and I felt it had an off taste a kinda very weak muddy taste.......it just didn't grab me in any way.I finished the and will not purchase another.It might have been better if it was a bit sweeter though I don't like sweet whiskey.I love your reviews......Thank You!
You've got a good point. I thought it was a pretty good whisky but ultimately wish it picked something to do better
It tastes very similar to Wee Beastie!
Oh my did you mangle the name of that celebration. LOL. I think based on prior relationships that this is a young Port Charlotte. Hunter is the owner of the new Ardnahoe Distillery opened in 20219 and pulled their 1st dram last Fall.
Sorry about that. I do what I can to get pronunciation correctly. Look up videos, typically of owners of distilleries or other relevant people given the topic.
How would you pronounce it?
Get to the point? Gab, gab, gab! I have bought Scarabus. I enjoyed it!
Funny, this comment has only happened maybe 3 or 4 times in the nearly 10 year history of my channel. Sorry if this one wasted your time, but I'm glad you enjoyed the Scarrabus!
For my own info, what do you consider the point? The nosing and tasting? The brand info? My recommendation?
If I was Ardanhoe I would be having a lawyer sending a cease and desist order immediately to TW about straight up lying to customers where it came from. Cheers
Yea... uninformed is a tough situation
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary problem is now you are stating where is came from and its wrong and smearing a brand intentionally.
@@WhiskeyCrusaders would be awkward for Ardanhoe lawyers to send a cease and desist order when both Scarabus and Ardanhoe are owned by Hunter Laing Co. the employee should be better informed but it’s an easy mixup
@@sigmammia that is a valid point. Unfortunately TW employees tend to tell a lot of bs to sell stuff
$35 now at Total Wine. Blasted inflation
Getting pricey!
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Supply chain problems, and now price of Bourbon will likely go up with the White Oak shortage....
very good stuff - I have reviews on all three of these on my channel
Ooo I'll have to check out the cask strength and the 10
Thank you for the review. I've looked at this for some time now. This and the 10yo and Batch Strength. (Actually not named Cask Strength..🤔)
But this bottle goes for $55 USD here in Sweden, so then it's more expensive than a lot of other great islays. So that makes me wanna pass this bottle.
The 10yo is $65 and the Batch Strength is $67.
I'd love to try the batch strength
$30 for a salty slight peat... kinda sounds nice
Agreed
£31 in the UK and £39 for the 10 year old.
Tried it not good at all....a waste of money.
Aww man. Wonder if you got a different batch than me.