Lohin McKinnon Peated Single Malt

Fans of Ardbeg Islay malt will likely appreciate this distinctive Canadian malt from Vancouver. The peated malted barley originates from Scotland (though not Islay), aiming for reasonable authenticity, but the absence of an age statement suggests managing expectations. Similar to Ardbeg, it pours a very pale lemon color with a potent smoky aroma immediately noticeable. The body is light with minimal legs. The initial taste delivers a strong, zesty citrus flavor, quickly overtaken by a mouth-coating peatiness. What's lacking, compared to a quality peated malt, is a balancing sweetness, any fruit notes, and complexity in the finish. I'm content to have this in my collection—it's reasonably priced and an interesting novelty—but I cannot endorse it.

A very intriguing flavor profile. The peated malt originates from Scotland, yet its taste and aroma differ from any peated Scotches I've encountered. Scent: licorice, ripe fruit, grassy notes. Taste: slightly medicinal, reminiscent of roots, aligning with the scent. Finish: enduring, maintaining the palate's character over time. I detect a quality gin-like essence within it. Overall, it presents as a very young spirit. It could be an interesting, unique whisky with further aging.

Lohin McKinnon Peated 43% alcohol by volume, bottled in Canada, single malt whisky, no age stated. Aroma: peaty, earthy, smoky, fiery, and oaky Taste: a bit of spice at the start, peat, smoke, malt. It seems young based on the color. Overall, this is a respectable single malt with a very pleasant taste, just a little young and a bit too expensive for what appears to be a 3-4 year old whisky. It's certainly worth trying. Cost: $44.95 plus tax Grade: B+

A well-crafted peated whisky from an unexpected region for this style. The flavors arrive in stages, and I genuinely liked every taste of pleasant surprise.

July 13th, 2019 at a pub in Surrey. A light peaty note detected on the nose. The same on the palate. Lightly pleated, I'd say. Nice!