Isle of Skye 18 Year

This is my first time purchasing an Isle of Skye. I don't typically go for blended malts, but I'd heard positive things about this one, and the price was excellent! So, I'm exploring new options to broaden my horizons. Despite the lower ABV, which isn't my usual preference, this turned out very well! It does appear low in alcohol when poured and observing the legs; they dissipate quickly into small drips, typical of low alcohol content. However, it doesn't disappoint on the nose or palate. On the nose, it resembles a Rye Whisky with a strong cinnamon presence, some ginger, and lime, akin to limoncello. There are also hints of toffee and sugary cereal, but the cinnamon is quite prominent, accompanied by sweet notes and lemon. The palate is quite different, lacking citrus notes. Instead, it's much richer in toffee, chocolate, and some walnut. The finish is full of dark chocolate. You immediately crave another sip to discover more, and it delivers. You also get a subtle hint of smoke, but very lightly. The Speyside influence mentioned on the bottle is noticeable. If only it had a higher ABV, this would be a champion! Cheers!

A full-bodied blended Scotch whisky made by Ian Macleod Distillery, combining Island & Speyside malts aged at least 18 years in oak barrels, bottled at 40% ABV. It features notes of grain, wood, fruit, nuts, and spices. A robust character adds hints of toffee pudding, honeyed citrus, gingerbread, and fruitcake, leading to a balanced, medium-length finish with notes of black pepper, oak, almond, sherry, peat smoke, and sea spray. August / October 2025

Aroma: Initially a lot of ethanol, but time in the glass reveals butterscotch, malt, pastry, apple, and pear notes. Taste: Somewhat harsh at first, subsequent sips mellowed it slightly, a bit creamy with malt, apple, pear, honey, vanilla, caramel, and shortbread notes. Finish: Warming and lengthy with malt, vanilla, barrel spice, and a hint of smoke. Sits nicely between the 12 year and 21 year.

Nose: Citrus, cherries, hay, and cinnamon. Palate: Caramel, malt, slight smoke. Finish: Dark chocolate, seaweed, malt. Overall, a decent dram. Tastes like it's trying too hard to appeal to everyone. 80 proof has a bit of a watered-down oily viscosity.

The nose offered berries, fruitcake, oak, smoke, lime and lime zest, a damp basement, and toffee. On the palate, there was toffee, a whisper of smoke, scorched oak, lime zest, and a bit of peat. The finish was even-keeled with some gentle warmth, sweet malt, and bitter chocolate.

Excellent scotch, rivaling JW Blue blended scotch. It has slightly more smoke but likely more consistent flavor. The Isle of Skye 25 year is superior to both JW Blue and this scotch. Nevertheless, it's a great bottle.