Smokehead, 43%, $55
Youthful, fiery, oozing with testosterone. Toffee apple, intoxicated with kiln-trapped peat smoke, charcoal ash, anise, honeyed malt, brine, peppered seaweed, kippers, and damp earth. Brisk and warming. Okay, this is a young, “in your face” Islay single malt. Young Islay whiskies show the true character of Islay whiskies (which I like), and this is a young one. Ideally, I’d like to see another five years, not chill-filtered, and bottled at 46% ABV, but there’s still some sort of a “raw edge” attraction here.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 82
John, you make me want to take a dram. You used “youthful/young” four times. How young? And is it a good value?
I don’t know how young it it. There’s no age statement. Tastes to me like it’s in the single digits.
I like the Smokehead more than the Rollercoaster. If you’re in the camp that believes the Smokehead is actually young Ardbeg whisky, which Ian MacLeod seems to be pricing it as, then you might want to give this a try too.
How does Smokehead compare to Ardbeg 10, David? They’re the same price.
Smokehead tastes younger than Ardbeg 10.
“Oozing with testosterone”?
*shudder*
I second that JC! *shudder*
“Testosterone” – Sounds like young Ardbeg to me. *shudder*
You’re getting pretty specific wanting five more years there, John, and I think you like these young ones better than I do– so I’m assuming this stuff tastes reeally really young.
Is it like the Rollercoaster where the youth comes out on the finish?
Red, I was generalizing with the five years. I don’t know how fast it will mature to be where I would want it to be, but a few to five would be in the ballpark. It might be nice in two or three, but my point was that I would really like to see it in more like five years. And yes, I really notice the youth on the end of the palate with both whiskies you mention.
“[I]ntoxicated with kiln-trapped peat smoke” is the bit that got me! I don’t mind the idea of NAS bottlings, and I quite like some young Islays (e.g., from Caol Ila). However, this emphasizes our need for special care in tracking NAS quality. The same source produced Isle of Skye, which I took to be a totally unnecessary affront to that island’s whisky. So, given the review and price point, I’m unmotivated to check this out any further.
Well, it all comes down to whether you like really young Islay whiskies or not. Many do.
I agree, and am one who has liked them – not only from the north shore but also from Ardbeg (8) and Laphroaig (also an 8, I believe).
My mere hunch is that we’re sort of lucky with good young ones the way we can be lucky with good old ones (that don’t show all that time in wood, for instance). At this point I’m just inclined to trust more to G&M and such for the young ones…partly because their careful judgment and sense of propriety increasingly incline them away from CF’ing Islays.
Lawschooldrunk @6: Here’s to Black Bottle, NAS!
This should not be more expensive than black bottle NAS!!!
Are they finally sending this to the US then?
It’s in the U.S. now and available at retailers. The 18 year is not
Sku, Like David D said, I got a review sample over a month ago, so it must be here. I think that the importer follows WDJK, so maybe they will update us. I also asked the importer about the 18 being available in the U.S. Not for now.
Smokehead is available in select states (CA, MO, NY, IL). We are expecting the second shipment of it in mid March, then it will be available in a few more states. We will keep you posted. 18yrs old is unchillfiltered, 46% alc. It will be available towards the end of the year, or in the beginning of 2011.
Sam, thanks for providing the update. I am really looking forward to the 18 yr. old.
So, is consensus that this is a young Kildalton malt? I’ve head Caol Ila but I don’t think so. I like it but it is a bit expensive…
How does this compare to the Compass Box Peat Monster? Don’t know why, but when I’ve seen the Smokehead in duty free, it always brings the Peat Monster to mind.
While I think Smokehead is nice enough, Peat Monster better. It taste more mature, and it is more complex.
John – regarding availability in the U.S., I’m a retailer in California and currently have it in stock.
I’ve seen it all over New York as early as a year and a half ago.
We bought out most of what Sam’s had last year at Whiskyfest in Chicago for under $50 a bottle
Hi there,
when it came out here in Germany three (?) years ago it was a ill kept secret that it is a 7 yo Ardbeg.
If Smokehead is still 7 yo and still Ardbeg I can not say.
The 18 yo definitely is an Ardbeg and with a price tag of 86.- € here worth every cent.
Imagine what it would cost if it was a 18 yo OB!
But 18 yo at the time of bottling the year 2008 brings the Smokehead 18 yo together with the different batches of the Beist which were bottled 2006 2007 2008 and 2009 afaik and all distilled in 1990.
Smokehead 18 yo is of the same stock.
Greetings
kallaskander
Wow! is smokehead 18 available in the U.S.?
No, the 18 isn’t. See comments above.
Scottish Field ranked it really high a few years ago. I would rank it a little higher than John did – If you like smoke and spirit its a great buy.
B.J., Thank you and yes Smokehead won the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge Gold, the Best Dark Spirit Trophy and a Gold medal in the Spirits category at W&SDA.
My pleasure – Smokehead is sitting among my favorite Islay Malts. Now I have to scope out that 18 YO when we are back in Scotland in a couple of weeks!
We do appreciate everyone’s comments, including the ones that are not complimenting Smokehead. We value your opinions.
Smokehead has been available in Michigan for over a year now.
Had my first bottle in the summer of 2008.
Absolutely has the taste of a young whiskey. Compared to the Ardbeg Ten year or the Laphroaig Ten year, an inferior whiskey. I’m with John in comparison to the Peat Monster as well. As I am not that big a fan of the Peat Monster, Smokehead pales in comparison complexity wise, and overall flavor. A superior whiskey to Black Bottle though, as someone had mentioned.
I do as well enjoy the younger Islay whiskey’s, as I have just finished my first bottle of Signatory 9 year old Peated Bunnahabhain. Excellent whiskey. Also, was able to taste an 8 year old Coal Ila, which I enjoyed very much.
For the price, I’d stick with the ten year Ardbeg, or either of the ten year Laphroaigs, cask strength or typical 43% bottling.
I do like Smokehead for its youthful vigor, but for about $20 bucks more you can get a beautiful combination of Smokiness and Sherry in Sheep Dip 1990, a vatting available at Binny’s in Chicago. It contains 25 yr old Ardbeg, 19 yr od Dalmore and 21 yr old Fettercairn married for 15 yrs. I think this one fares well even up against Ardbeg Corryvreckan. See the BUMS review at:
http://www.scotch-tasting-bums.com/Our_tastings/Entries/2010/4/8_Eighteenth_tasting_-_Ardbeg_Corryvreckan%2C_Dalmore_15%2C_Sheep_Dip_1990.html
John gave it a 92. Definitely in the upper echelon of smokey whiskies.
I’m coming late to this fascinating discussion, but I’ve only just had my first bottle of Smokehead. I had a few bottles of the Ardbeg Very Young (wish I’d kept some!), and it’s not the same animal. OK, the Very Young was cask strength or thereabouts, but I take my malt with water, and at the same strength in the glass, the Smokehead is less complex and doesn’t hit you in the face in the same way. Having said this, I do feel it’s an Ardbeg, but maybe not from the best oak – do they ever re-use the barrels?
[...] Hansell has three new scotch reviews up this week: Arran Peacock, Smokehead, and a single post on Glen Grant 10 and Glen Grant [...]
[...] Scores: JH 82, JM’11 92, [...]