Friday, February 22, 2008

Malt Mission 2008 #255


McClellands Islay
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% abv

£14
$31.85(CAD)

$20(USD)

Another week come and gone on the malt mission and my eyes (third eye?) still burn from celebrating the Drammie win on Wednesday. I understand yours might, too.

Today we will have the final malt in the regional series from McClelland's, whiskies created to represent four regions of whisky production available in many global markets and priced fairly.

Can you name all distilleries currently in operation on Islay? *

For all McClelland's had on the mission, click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Earthy, tarry, some chamomile and clementine skins. Gentle smoke, mineral like mud, and a touch of dog poo.

Soft and smoked, like dutch cheese. Burnt bits of pizza crust, with a lovely core of honey and chocolate, Toblerone. Long charred finish, like crispy belly of pork or burnt cheese dripping out the side of a calzone or something.

SUMMARY:

The angriest of the McClelland's lot, but still quite easy drinking and packs more punch than its price point. A little sweet, a little thin, and a little dirty... brings back memories of teenagehood... A good cheap whisky for that Islay mood.

* - Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig.

Malt Mission #251
Malt Mission #252
Malt Mission #253
Malt Mission #254

Malt Mission HOME

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great blog, I just stumbled upon it. I also just grabbed a bottle of McClellands Islay myself and was pleasently surprised it was so tasty for the price. Any other budget minded whiskey's you'd recommend for a beginner?
Perhaps I'll go with the Speyside next.

Dr. Whisky said...

Thanks, CAD. In my mind, these are all great starting whiskies, good to have on the shelf for guilt-free dramming and well-suited to pour for quality-blind guests. But for 10-20 bucks more, I would always lean towards going for something a little more well-integrated and mature. Its about quality not quantity... for some.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Whisky -

Look what you did to this chap!

http://whiskylounge.hember.name/2008/03/if-only-i-could-unremember.html

Malpractice, anyone?

Cheers

BA