Week 14 - McClelland's Islay

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.

The McClelland's Single Malt family is a range of Single Malt Scotch whiskies from four of Scotland's key whisky distilling regions - Highland, Islay, Speyside and the Lowlands. McClelland's is a budget Scotch, priced at a fraction of most single malts, and cheaper than most blends or call brands of other liquors. There is no McClelland's distillery, rather it is a 5 year old bottling of one of several other Morrison Bowmore distillery's spirit.

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:

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

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.