McClelland's Single Malt Islay

I appreciate smoke, so I sought an affordable Islay option, as most are significantly over $40. This one was only $20, and I approached it with low expectations due to mixed reviews. It is at least a single malt, and the theory is that it originates from Bowmore, as they own the McClelland brand (some speculate it's 5 years old). Poured neat, it adheres to the glass quite well. The aroma presents solid peat smoke, band-aids, and olives. As it evolves, the smoke slightly diminishes, and salty cured meat emerges alongside some malt. A thin, oily mouthfeel introduces more sweetness than anticipated. It's malt, caramel, and brine with char. There's a fatty/greasy note that appears as the sweetness fades. It still offers some smoke, but not as much as the aroma suggested. The finish is medium with ashy smoke and greasy char. It lacks the refinement, intensity, and complexity of true peat powerhouses (like Ardbeg)... it's not on that level, but the price reflects that. What it does offer is Islay smoke, good maltiness, and a budget price; in my opinion, it surpasses blends in this price range. However, it's not for everyone; it's somewhat rough and unpolished. It did grow on me as I spent more time with the bottle. I would pay more for the genuine article, but for $20, this is a decent introductory Islay. Score: 72/100... If this is considered subpar Bowmore stock, I'm eager to try what they officially release under their own name.

Sampled a 2019 release, which I understand was superior to more recent bottlings of this very affordable Islay single malt. Nose: Bowmore peat. Islay peat truly doesn't come any cheaper. It's akin to an old open bottle of disinfectant mingled with last weekend's campfire remnants. Some muted citrus and faded vanilla. Damp cardboard, which I suppose is what they term their oak casks at Bowmore nowadays. Young malt husks. Not an unpleasant aroma. Taste: An exact replication of the nose. Young but thankfully not sharp, owing to the standard alcohol by volume. Not offensive. Drinkable. Finish: Longer than anticipated. Also somewhat more bitter than expected. With added water, the finish shortens and improves overall. It's acceptable. Concluding thoughts: this whisky somehow manages to meet all the criteria for an Islay malt. It's certainly not bad overall. You truly get what you pay for here. I suppose this could serve as an introduction to Islay, but I would strongly advise seeking something more valuable, like MacLeod's Islay perhaps. At 15-20 euros, McClelland's Islay offers better value than its predecessor, Bowmore 12. I definitely would not purchase either of them again, however.

It has the smokiness of Islay without any of the qualities that make that smoke appealing. It's somehow excessively sweet from start to finish, even with the smoke. I adore Islay whisky, but this nearly makes me vomit. If I didn't know that adding flavoring was prohibited in Scotland, I would suspect the smoke was artificial. A very peculiar experience. If you own this bottle and cannot tolerate it straight, consider adding a tiny amount to other inexpensive, unsmoked spirits. This pairs well with a blended Irish whiskey (Jameson). It's amusing to experiment with, but I still cannot drink it neat! Update after several months of having the bottle: The cloying sweetness does eventually mellow and blend with the smoke. It's still not excellent, but at least I no longer gag, and it has proven useful for mixing into cheap Irish whiskey.

This marked the beginning of my scotch journey in this application. The cost is suitable for my budget. As someone who prefers bourbon, I'm uncertain how to evaluate this. It possesses the sweetness of a bourbon. I was anticipating more of a low tide character and encountered some flavors I don't recognize. The finish is smooth and light.

The aroma is a blend of vanilla and ozone. The taste's peat isn't the usual meaty/salty Islay kind; it's more earthy and subtle. The spirit is genuinely quite sweet, with pear and pineapple flavors. The slightest touch of oak emerges on a very brief finish.

I read reviews after an impulsive purchase, having left my phone in my truck. I thought I had made a mistake, but for $33 for a single malt, I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did. Spicy like pepper, with some smoke, I enjoyed it.