“I Mist Islay in this Blend”
Country: Scotland
Brand: Islay Mist Deluxe
Bottler: MacDuff International Ltd, Glasgow
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 40 %
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: The name Islay Mist suggests some serious Peat and Smoke but that's not the case. There's a bit of Earth, Iodine, Brine and Campfire Smoke present but it's pushed into the background by Fruity New Make Spirit, Grapefruit, Grain
Alcohol, Dried Herbs, Toast and Removal Boxes. It's quite Thin actually. After a while I find some light Vanilla, light Honey, Floral Soap, Malt and White Sugar. When you smell the empty glass after an hour or so the Peat and Smoke are more noticeable.
Alcohol, Dried Herbs, Toast and Removal Boxes. It's quite Thin actually. After a while I find some light Vanilla, light Honey, Floral Soap, Malt and White Sugar. When you smell the empty glass after an hour or so the Peat and Smoke are more noticeable.
Palate: Young, Unfinished, Thin and Sugary Sweet with Floral Soap, Grain Alcohol, Citrus, light Honey, light Smoke, Wet Clay, Dried Herbs, Pepper, Menthol and Refill Oak.
Finish: Middle-Long and Sugary Sweet with Grain Alcohol, light Smoke, Ashes, Mandarin, light Licorice, Dried Herbs, Pepper and Salt.
The Islay Mist does not accept added Water very well. It's already Thin as it is.
Rating: 76
Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 18.5 - Finish: 18 - Overall: 19
General Remarks: Islay Mist is an Islay led Blended Whisky that also contains Whiskies from the Mainland. It was first launched in 1922 to celebrate the 21st Birthday party of one Lord Margadale. Apparently it's a Blend with Laphroaig at the heart, accompanied by some Speyside Malts (including The Glenlivet) and some Grain Whiskies. There are various expressions available in the market. Next to the NAS I'm reviewing today you can find the 12 Years, the 17 Years, the Peated Deluxe and the Peated Reserve. The NAS Deluxe is sold at a price that varies between 25 and 40 US Dollars (February 2015).
Drinking Experience Neat: Disappointing and Below Average.
Conclusion: Islay Mist is too strong a name for this Foggy Highlander. It's very tough to detect Laphroaig as the driving force of this Blend. It tastes and smells more like Grain Whisky blended with some young indifferent Highland Malt and a little Islay. On the Nose it's not too bad although the Islay component is not at all prominent. There's a bit more Smoke and Earth on the Palate and in the Finish but all in all Palate and Finish are too Thin, Young, Herbal and Edgy to impress. It somehow tastes like an unfinished Spirit. I will try to get some of the older expressions but this NAS Islay Mist does not work for me.
Jan van den Ende February 18, 2015
