McClellands Islay
Distillery: McClellandsStyle: Single Malt
Release: Unspecified
Age: 5 Years
Alcohol: 40% abv.
Region: Scotland, Islay
Bottled For: Distillery
The McClelland's Single Malt family is a range of Single Malt Scotch whiskies from four of Scotland's key whisky distilling regions - Highland, Islay, Speyside and the Lowlands. McClelland's is a budget Scotch, priced at a fraction of most single malts, and cheaper than most blends or call brands of other liquors. There is no McClelland's distillery, rather it is a 5 year old bottling of one of several other Morrison Bowmore distillery's spirit.
Color: Amber
Nose: Heavy smoke, peat, and tar
Body: Bold, really bold.
Palate: A clipper ship on fire
Finish: Strong to the end, alcohol more than obvious
What a surprize. I'm used to the Glenmorangie "type" singles, and this one was not that. It opened with smoke, peat, smoke, tar, and perhaps a touch of burnt Bakelite. After all that the flavor of scotch does come through. If I were making a blend I would in fact use a bit of this to add a smoky flavor. With a handful of ice cubes and a dollop of milk this became quite drinkable.
Color: golden
Nose: a bit harsh, some peat, a little hay
Body: a bit rough
Palate: defined peat
Finish: hot on the throat
This is a single malt that is for the budget drinker. I can appreciate a nice Lagavulin every now and then (and even keep some at hand), some Laphroigh a little more often, and a good Talisker as well. However, those can all break the bank in a hurry. This is a good "house malt" if you will... and it also benefit greatly from just a bit of water.
Color: Pale Amber
Nose: Overripe apple, musty peat.
Body: Thin, hot, almost peppery. Pungent.
Palate: Pepper, slight medicine taste.
Finish: Hot, fades quickly to peat, few overtones.
Not very pleasant. The nose and palate mix poorly, too much contrast. A cheap whisky that tastes like one.
Color: light amber
Nose: peat
Body: light and smoky
Palate: not overwhelming peat, but good
Finish: a nice,mild finish
I think this is a fine, every day single malt whiskey. I simply can't afford to drink Laphroaig or Lagavulin all the time, at $70+ a bottle. However, I can enjoy McClellands at $24 a bottle locally. You make some concessions, but you still have a nice, Bowmore-style Islay single-malt to drink.
Color: light gold
Nose: Heavy smoke, bit of vanilla
Body: thick, heavy,
Palate: iodine
Finish: Very aggressive at first, then hot, but fading quickly
Very immature whiskey. Though cheap, it's not worth the money.