Isle of Skye Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Isle of Skye

Type: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: 8 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Date: 29/12/2013

Colour: Medium Amber  

Nose: Young, lightly Floral but a bit Edgy. The Grain Whiskies are way too dominant. I can't identify Talisker and I think I should in a Blend called Isle of Skye! I find Grain, Lemon, Oak, light Pepper, light Smoke, Raisins, Honey, Straw, Heather, Malt and Custard. Certainly Refill Ex-Bourbon Casks. The Alcohol is very present.

Palate: The delivery is a bit Thin. Sharp Young Grain Whisky, light Smoke, Pepper, slightly Bitter Oak, Straw, Sweet Barley, Honey and Lemon. 

Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet, Fiery and Spicy with Custard, Sugar, Honey, Black Pepper, slightly Bitter Oak and some Nut Shells. 

No Need to add Water to the Isle of Skye although you get a bit more Fruit (Apricot) on the Nose.

Rating: 78.5

Nose: 19 – Taste: 20.5 – Finish: 19.5 – Overall: 19.5

General Remarks: The Isle of Skye Blended Whisky was created by Ian MacLeod more than 100 years. Today it is elaborated, blended and bottled by Ian MacLeod Distillers Ltd, an Independent Bottler established in 1934 and a.o. owner of the Glengoyne Distillery and various other Blends such as Smokehead. Many people will know their Chieftain's range as well. The Isle of Skye is also part of a small collection known as MacLeod's Scotch Whisky Trail that also includes a Single Malt from Lowland, Speyside, Highland, Islands and Islay. The Isle of Skye contains Single Malts from Skye (Talisker), the Isles and Speyside as well as Grain Whiskies. It is said to mature mainly in Ex-Bourbon casks and the Blend is married in Oak for an additional 6 months before bottling. This Blend is not expensive at around 30 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay

Conclusion: Jim Murray and also Ralfy were really enthusiastic about this Blend but I just can't see where they are coming from. Unless they really like young Grain Whiskies. Which I don't! Sure, the price/quality ratio of this Blend is good. Isle of Skye is better than JW Red when sipping it neat. But is that a good reference? In my opinion the Isle of Skye is quite drinkable but it lacks Depth, interesting Aromas, Flavours and a sufficient amount of Talisker. Perhaps it shouldn't be called Isle of Skye! It smells and tastes much more like Grain Whisky with some Speyside Malt and a hint of the Islands.

Jan van den Ende                                                      December 2013

MacLeod's Islay 8 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: MacLeod's

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Islay

Age: 8 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Date: 17/11/2013

Colour: Golden Amber (E 150 is added)  

Nose: It certainly smells a bit like a young Islay with Smoke (Burnt Newspaper and Burnt Grass), Peat, Brine, Wallpaper Glue, Rubber, Alcohol, Nuts, Leather Saddles, Raw Meat, Toffee, light Licorice, light Vanilla, light Oak and Mineral tones. Hints of Sherry and Citrus. Probably matured in a mix of Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon and Re-Fill Ex-Sherry Casks. 

Palate: Watery Delivery with Smoke, Peat, Lemon-Peel, Caramel/Toffee, Salt, Licorice, Pepper, Alcohol, Rubber, Tar, Leather, Nuts and Mineral tones like Sand and Rocks.

Finish: Middle-Long with Charcoal, Salt, Pepper, Vinegar, Malt, Raw Fish, Nuts, Butterscotch, Perfumed Soap, light Ashes, Tar, Sugared Tea and a hint of BBQ Sauce. Slight Alcohol Burn.

The MacLeod's Islay does not accept Water very well. It simply becomes too Thin and Watery.  

Rating: 76.5

Nose: 20 – Taste: 19 – Finish: 18.5 – Overall: 19

General Remarks: This Islay 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 Islay is part of a small collection known as MacLeod's Scotch Whisky Trail that also includes a Single Malt from Lowland, Speyside, Highland and Islands as well as the before mentioned Isle of Skye Blend. A full bottle of the Islay costs around 45 US Dollars. A Miniature Gift Set is also widely available. (See Picture Above).

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: I find it difficult to judge Single Malts like this. On the one hand Ian MacLeod managed to present an acceptable, true to nature young Islay. On the other hand, this Islay 8 years suffers from youth, indifferent wood and a low ABV. It's a bit dull and lifeless. Save a little bit more and buy an Ardbeg 10 if you're looking for a great young Islay. That's what I would do! But of course you also want to know what distillery produced this Islay 8 years. Can't be sure here but i would guess either Lagavulin or Bowmore. If you have any thoughts on it, please leave a comment! 

Jan van den Ende                                                      November 2013