Macleod's Highland Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: MacLeod's

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Highland

Age: 8 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: Light and not at all complex. But pleasant enough. Basically Malt, Vanilla, Oak, Buttered Toast, Vegetables, Heather, Honey and Mushrooms. Light Spices, Apple and a puff of Smoke from a very distant Fire.

Palate: On the Thin Side. Sweet but also slightly Salty. Quite tasty with tons of Vanilla, Oak, Sweet Cereals, Heather, Honey, Nut Casks, Pepper, Brown Sugar and a whiff of Smoke. It's extremely drinkable so be careful!

Finish: Sweet Malt and Honey at first followed by Pepper, Milk Chocolate, Oak and a pinch of Salt. Dry and a bit Mineral towards the end.

With a bit of Water, the Nose of the Macleod's Highland becomes very Malty. Palate and Finish just get watered down. Better sip it neat.   

Rating: 83.5

Nose: 21 – Taste: 21 – Finish: 20.5 – Overall: 21

General Remarks: This Highland Single Malt was produced and bottled by Ian MacLeod Distillers Ltd, an Independent Bottler established in 1934 and a.o. owner of the Glengoyne Distillery and various Blends such as Isle of Skye and Smokehead. Many people will know their Chieftain's range as well. The Highland is part of a small collection known as MacLeod's Scotch Whisky Trail that also includes a Single Malt from Lowland, Speyside, Island and Islay as well as the before mentioned Isle of Skye Blend. A full bottle of the Highland costs around 45 US Dollars. A Miniature Gift Set is also widely available. (See Picture Below)

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A very pleasant surprise after the disappointing Speyside and Lowland expressions from the same Whisky Trail collection. It certainly displays Highland characteristics. Distilleries like Clynelish, Glengoyne and Dalwhinnie came to my mind but my guess is as good as yours. At this price level, the MacLeod's Highland is a good alternative. A pity really that it's a bit too thin. A Higher ABV would certainly benefit this Single Malt.

Jan van den Ende                                                               August 2, 2013