Smokehead

This is an NAS single malt from an undisclosed Islay distillery. This brand comes from Ian Macleod's company, who's portfolio includes, Isle of Skye, Glengoyne & Thamdu among others.

Like most of these type of releases there's much speculation on the origin of the casks for this whisky. Many speculate that this is a vatting of young casks of Ardbeg that don't quite meet the company's standards. Let's see.

Nose: Smoked herring, damp cellar, creosote, it leans towards Ardbeg or Laphroaig heavy smoke. Salt, a smidge of vanilla, a little mercurochrome nothing else...maybe salt ham.

Palate: Acrid, earthy, sharp, kelp, oysters, beach bonfire, latex, milky, peat reek.

Finish is all on ashes, saltpetre, brine.

Good uncompromising stuff, all oily fish, milky/latex and ashy smoke. It ticks off all the peat freak boxes, don't look for subtleties. I like this it's very honest.

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