This is the first of four posts by this month's host, "sittinginarockingchairontheporch". I begin with a selection of McClelland's and end up with the favorite of the boy's mother, Royal Lochnagar.
The reasons behind this selection have to do with what was being drunk last summer at Ned's. I had a "good" 12 year old to compare. And, finally, I believe it is a good use of Sally Anne's Royal Lochnagar.
We begin with the Islay.
From http://www.forpeatsake.com/McClellands/
McClellands Islay Reviews
70
distillery McClellands
style Single Malt
release Unspecified
age 5 Years
alcohol 40% abv.
Region Scotland, Islay
bottled for Distillery
Best Review:
84
color Amber
nose Heavy smoke, peat
body Peaty. Not overwhelming, and very good.
Palate Stuck my mouth into the peat bog.
Finish Aggressive at first, then very nice and pleasing.
I don't care if others refer to it as "beginner" or "budget". I've had plenty o' Scottish dews, and this is a teriffic buy for the experience.
Unhappy Customer:
60
color Honey
nose Smoke, Iodine, Burnt Rubber
body Nicely smooth, slightly oily
palate Iodine, and Burnt Rubber
finish Very dry, short finish
Very strong Iodine. Not much burn but overwhelming smoky, burnt oak and tar flavor. Regardless of price, I could not imagine drinking an entire dram.
Worst review:
Worst review:
55
color light gold
nose Heavy smoke, bit of vanilla
body thick, heavy,
palate iodine
finish Very aggressive at first, then hot, but fading quickly
Very immature whiskey. Though cheap, it's not worth the money.
My Review
My Review
1st sniff: Peat and alcoholic, made me cough! 1st sip: strong burn, with somewhat masked vanilla and iodine flavors (right, who drinks iodine? so, I imagine the taste) a bit sweet. 2nd sip licorice and easier on the tongue. nothing left in back of mouth. Water is next. mellows the nose and leaves a bit of warmth on the tongue. Ice: this is the stuff we drank last summer. I must say, it seems somewhat harmless but still peaty. There are better.
Color: golden
ReplyDeleteLegs: strong
Nose: nicely smokey/peaty
Taste: a peaty taste, not as strong as some of the others, but nicely warming
Finish: Pretty short, and unlike last week, does not seem to grow with more sips
After making my SO (Spousal Overunit) a chocolate martini, it was my turn to taste this evening. For the first time, I know I have previously had the week’s Scotch (though I have a very strong suspicion on The Macallan 12). In fact, I believe several bottles of McClelland’s were consumed by our group last Spring and Summer. This is a pretty tame Scotch as far as our Islays go. I would say it is nice, though not terribly exciting, kind of like the boy/girl next door. Bear in mind that I still prefer it to the Glenlivit , probably on par with the Dalwhinie, maybe a wee bit ahead. A drop of water did not help one bit, just put out what little warmth and fire there was in the dram. One strong positive, it is much cheaper than just about anything else we have tasted, certainly a very high taste/price point ratio.
I dont know why everyone keeps picking on the Glenlivit. But yes, as hewhowhateverthehecktherestofhislongnameis said we drank it last summer under conditions where no one felt they had the right to be picky. I myself was on a diet and this tastes like a diet scotch.. thin, not terribly lasting, but eh, better than water.
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing offensive about it, as some of the previous ones were (not the Glenlivet).
Light in color, light in taste, but enough peat that you knew it wasn't vodka.
I probably won't be stocking it unless dad comes over. Then its the cheap stuff for him.
The good thing about not hosting, is that you can wait until last to comment and see where the expectations should fall. It sounds like pretty far...
ReplyDeleteSo, the color of one of those super sweet dessert wines, this one brings to mind peat-flavored cough syrup with a ahort burn once it tilts. Granted, drink enough of this and you'll be tilting as well, but not sure I'd chose to go that far.
I'll give it a few points for trying to have a personality, which is one step above the GL 12, but not even if dad were coming would I add this to my cabinet on purpose. Actually, I like the fact that we have 2 others from this bottler, as it will be interesting to see if there is any difference besides the label.
Thaks for supplying dad. I'm guessing it'll be the Lochnagar to win this month, but we won't know til we drink them....