I've been curious about Smokehead for a while, but only recently was I able to source any in the DC area. An unnamed, no age statement single malt from bottler Ian Macleod, it's from Islay, it's young, and at 58% it's very punchy. No idea about the casking, but it doesn't taste sherried to me at all. Likely ex-bourbon, maybe even 2nd fill. The core spirit overwhelms the wood influence, that's for sure. It's pretty much a mystery all the way around - although internet sources variously say it's either a young (~6 year) Ardbeg, or a young unsherried Lagavulin. Others have even guessed it's Caol Ila. My money is on Ardbeg.
Nose: Intriguing - pine needles, peat reek, dense smoke, lime peel, spices (pepper, chili pepper, cloves), really pronounced oily brine (olives? pickled root vegetables?), salt, bacon, coal, and a distant but pleasantly sweet malt barley element underneath it all. Reminds me quite strongly of Big Peat Christmas Edition, which was also cask strength, and also had Ardbeg in it. Coincidence? There is no change, positive or negative, with a little water. This is the definition of a heavily peated Islay dram.
Mouthfeel: Medium-heavy, chewy.
Palate: This has to be a young Ardbeg - it has such a similar full-bodied palate profile as the Ten Year, with even more alcohol: hot lemon, lime, malt, peat, smoke, charcoal, salt, spices (especially chili pepper and anise/licorice), rich black pepper, faint vanilla sweetness at the end. If it's not Ardbeg, someone has created a Frankenstein with all the same properties. This cask strength Smokehead is damn good! I was surprised. Reduction with water doesn't stimulate much of a change.
Finish: Very very long - smoke, wood, lime go on for eons on your tongue. I'll be tasting this tomorrow.
Verdict: Whether this is or isn't a young Ardbeg is ultimately academic - what it IS, is a very solid, tasty young Islay, very heavily peated, full of savory flavors. It also reminds me, in a sideways kind of way, of a couple independent bottles I had of Bunnahabhain, one from Clan Denny and the other from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, that were full of olives and soy sauce - clearly some kind of Islay peat effect? Other aspects (the deep coal note) remind me of Caol Ila.
I haven't had the 43% regular Smokehead, or the (expensive!) sherried iteration, but I can endorse this cask strength version. It's young, brash, in your face, but full of flavor, and has a lot of personality. Worth exploring for those who like peat and smoke and don't mind a heavily (HEAVILY) coastal dram.
No comments:
Post a Comment