Reviews of scotch and world whiskies by a history professor, his wife, bird, and three cats.

Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt

Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt

Whisky : Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 50%

Cask : Oak

Nose : Maritime, herbal, and seafood grill smoke.  Maritime brine, olden wooden piers, and subtle tar.  Dried lemon peel and vanilla peeked out behind mellow medicinal herbs.  A distant seaside shellfish barbecue came to mind with a mineral rich smoke.

Palate :  Medium bodied with  a profile of sweet citrus, salt, and smoke.  A mellow brine lingered behind sweet lemony citrus which left the impression of a citrus-herb grilled whitefish or the salted rim on a lemonade margarita.  In the background were notes of black pepper, vanilla, orange peel, and minerals.

Finish :  Short with notes of lemon peel and salt.


Score : 6

Mental Image : Shore Leave Luau on Risa


Notes :  Wow.  I expected this to be serviceable, but I thought this was actually really nice.  It hit on a lot of my favorite notes as it offered a soft smoke with lovely maritime notes and citrus fruits.  This will probably not blow one’s socks off, but if one already has a taste for Islays, especially the mellow coastal citrus of Caol Ila— which I is my strong suspicion as the source of this malt— then this will likely have some appeal.  

In my opinion, there is nothing better at the price point.  I reckon it beats out fellow $40-50 peated malts, which in my area includes: Laphroaig Select, Laphroaig 10, Johnnie Walker Black, Kilchoman Machir Bay.  It does not quite hit the same level as Arbeg 10 (though that bottle is $70 in my area), but it was not far off.  I think the only introductory Islay bottle that I would pick ahead of this is the Port Charlotte 10, which I think nudges this out in terms of richness or depth of flavor on the profile. 

Overall, I enjoyed this bottle and thought that, in terms of sheer value proposition, it was really great.  I loved that Alexander Murray bottled it at 50%.  I wish the finish was longer and that they did not color it quite so much— but after hearing someone complain about peat monster being too lightly colored— I understand the impetus.

Teaninich 10 Year SMWS 59.64 “Get Lost…”

Teaninich 10 Year SMWS 59.64 “Get Lost…”

Clynelish 16 Year SMWS 26.144 “Herbal Reveries”

Clynelish 16 Year SMWS 26.144 “Herbal Reveries”