Smokehead

[Mr Fjeld]

Yes, it's funny when the rumours start. I think I heard that Charles Maclean "slipped his tongue" at the Oslo Whisky Festival and revealed it's a Lagavulin. Myself I have really no idea and I think it could well be any of the Islay distilleries.

[Di Blasi]

Funny how the German market is promoting it as Ardbeg. Funnier that Ian Macleod has told shops doing this to remove that nonsense or else they'll stop sending it to them. The inside story is that it's SMOKEHEAD, a Single Islay Malt! Meaning, it can actually be anything from the 7 available distilleries. And meaning just that! Perhaps this tapping is Ardbeg, the other is Caol Ila, another in the future may be Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore and maybe one day even the Kilchoman!! Yooohooooo! But perhaps, the Germans know something we don't?!!

[BruceCrichton]

I only knew that it was Ardbeg, but didn't know it was a 7 YO. I haven't tried it, but would like to see how it differs from Big Smoke (a young Caol Ila).

Corbuso
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http://www.whisky-news.com

I've had Big Smoke 60. It's misnamed. It's quite light and sweet.

[Erebus1197]

As a qualified wine merchant and dedicated Islay drinker, as soon as I sniffed the bottle I thought Ardbeg. There is something in the nose that just shouts Ardbeg.

So I think the Germans are right. It's the sweetness and contrastic spice that makes my mind up. And now they bottle the young whisky and call it 'Almost There', that was what I was reminded of with the bouquet.

hope this has not added more fuel ot the fire...


slainte

[Di Blasi]

The nice thing about Smokehead is that it could very well be Ardbeg, then it could easily be something else from Islay. I too thought Smokehead was similar to the Very Young when I added water, the sweetness, milk chocolate-ness, and fruitiness. But then it could also be a heavily peated Bunnahabhain!! I think it was created to be enjoyed!

[BruceCrichton]

The nice thing about Smokehead is that it could very well be Ardbeg,<snip> I think it was created to be enjoyed!

You're better with ARdbeg 10 or Laphroaig QC. It just isn't punchy enough.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

Does anybody know if Ian Macleod Distilleries Ltd. do anything to the malt sourced from Ardbeg (my guess) that makes up Smokehead? I mean do they take it and just bottle it or do they age it further in different wood, etc? Kinda like what Gordon & Macphail do with some releases?

[litterboy]

Problem is of course - since the name isn't stated. It could contain Caol Ila in a month or two, Bruichladdich (PC og Octomore) after that and Ardbeg after that again.

I can guarantee it's not from Bruichladdich... I know as I work with them!