Showing posts with label Single Malt 8 Years. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Single Malt 8 Years. Show all posts

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

MacLeod's Island 8 Years Review




Country: Scotland
Brand: MacLeod's
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Region: Island
Age: 8 Years
Alcohol: 40%
Date: 14/09/2013

Colour: Dark Ember with a touch of Orange. 

Nose: First impressions are Leather, Rubber, Tar, Smoke, Diesel, light Iodine, Peat, Salt and Oak. Give it some time to open up. After some 20 minutes I find some Dried Fruits (Apple), Nuts and hints of Sherry and Ginger Ale. It's Maritime and Earthy at the same time but not really convincing either way. After nosing this Mystery Dram I would rule out Arran, Highland Park and Jura as possible distilleries where this Single Malt was produced.

Palate: The delivery is Sweet and a bit Thin as a result of the low ABV. Smoke, Peat, Tar, Leather and Oak are accompanied by Pepper, Espresso, Salted Butter and Toffee. 

Finish: Medium-Long, rather Sweet and slightly Meaty with Smoke, Earth, light Leather, Nuts and a Pepper tone that reminds me of Talisker.

With a bit of Water, the Nose of the Macleod's Island becomes quite Thin  although some Malt and Honey appear. Palate and Finish become Sweeter and Watery. Some light Licorice pops up. You can carefully add a few drops to see where that will lead you. 

Rating: 80

Nose: 20.5 – Taste: 19.5 – Finish: 20 – Overall: 20 


General Remarks: The Island region includes all Scottish Isles with distilleries except Islay. That leaves Jura, Orkney, Skye, Arran and Mull. This Island 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 Island is part of a small collection known as MacLeod's Scotch Whisky Trail that also includes a Single Malt from Lowland, Speyside, Highland and Islay as well as the before mentioned Isle of Skye Blend. A full bottle of the Island costs around 45 US Dollars. A Miniature Gift Set is also widely available. (See Picture Below).

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: The Nose is quite interesting actually. More Islay than Islands in my opinion. Maritime at first but with Earthier tones later on. Palate and Finish are less convincing but sufficiently characteristic for the region they represent. And now for the big question. Where was this spirit distilled? I can't be sure of course but I would guess it's either Talisker from Skye or a peated Ledaig, distilled by Tobermory on Mull. It reminded me a bit of a peated Tamdhu as well but that's a Speysider of course. If anyone knows or would like to make an educated guess, please leave your thoughts in the Comments sector!

Jan van den Ende                                                       September 2013

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

MacLeod's Speyside 8 Years Review



Country: Scotland
Brand: MacLeod's
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Region: Speyside
Age: 8 Years
Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: Rather Weak Nose with light Spice, light Honey, Lemon Peel, light Sherry, Wood, Malt, Dried Fruit, Nut-Casks, Pencils and hints of Tea, Vanilla and Artificial Fruit Flavour (Strawberry). 

Palate: Thin, lifeless and Bitter Sweet delivery. Still slightly better than I expected after the weak Nose. I get Sweet Barley, Citrus, Sugar, Nuts, Dried Fruits, Honey, Bitter Wood and a touch of Caramel and Heather.

Finish: Short and Dry with Bitter Oak, Heather, Grass, Pepper, Menthol and Lemon.

The Macleod's Speyside does not take Water very well. On the Nose you will get some Fruit Flavoured Candies and lightly Buttered Toast. Palate and Finish simply disappear.

Rating: 75

Nose: 18.5 – Taste: 19.5 – Finish: 18.5 – Overall: 18.5


General Remarks: This Speyside 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 Speyside is part of a small collection known as MacLeod's Scotch Whisky Trail that also includes a Single Malt from Lowland, Highland, Island and Islay as well as the before mentioned Isle of Skye Blend. A full bottle of the Speyside costs around 40 US Dollars. A  Miniature Gift Set is also widely available. (See Picture Below)

Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average

Conclusion: I can't find too much of the Fruit and Floral Tones that characterise good Speyside Single Malts. Lots of Bitter Wood spoil the party. It tastes more like a simple Blend really. I have no idea where this whisky was distilled and I honestly don't want to know. So far I'm not at all impressed by MacLeod's Whisky Trail Set. Still, we have three more regions to go so there's still hope of better times!

Jan van den Ende                                                                    July 4, 2013