mcclellands islay

A surprisingly good single malt for the price. It shows its young age with its harsh oak-flavored bite, but carries sweet secondary flavors of peat, salty sea spray, and floral. Distinctly Islay, which makes it unique among Scotches. An excellent value, and quite enjoyable.

A pretty good, everyday, single malt if you consider the price.

The Bowmore-like nose got me wondering, and I have gotten confirmed that this is indeed a young Bowmore, 5 years old. The Bowmore Legend is 8 years old, which illustrates that magic an additional 3 years can do. Still a good everyday dram, and despite the immaturity this is very illustrative for these characteristics we all like so much.

It seems a stretch to call this a true Islay, but with such a low price it seems pointless to be overly critical. Like Bowmore's Legend label, it offers a bit of that smoky Islay flavor at a budget price, but it doesn't quite match even that for flavor. Will do in a pinch if you want to taste some peat but funds are low and the store is out of Bowmore Legend.

Errors of omission rather than commission; nothing special here but nothing nasty either. An unremarkable, passable, islay-ish whisky. If it weren't inexpensive it would be useless, but it does hit a nice price/value mark.

I don't care if others refer to it as "beginner" or "budget". I've had plenty o' Scottish dews, and this is a teriffic buy for the experience.

peaty, iodine/antiseptic, sea-salt dominates. very little sweetness, scant smokiness. Nose remiscent of Teachers. Worth a try for the adventurers. Ice mellows and enhances sweet and fruit a touch.

Inconsistent between bottles. Very different experience from first to second.

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.

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.

Not very pleasant. The nose and palate mix poorly, too much contrast. A cheap whisky that tastes like one.

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.

Very immature whiskey. Though cheap, it's not worth the money.