July 2017

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV
$55
Website

What the Bottler Says
Contemporary, individual and exciting, Smokehead appeals to bold and adventurous whisky drinkers who are looking for something challenging and different.

A heavily-peated Islay single malt whisky of the highest quality, Smokehead hits you like a cannonball and takes you on an explosive rollercoaster of peat, smoke and spice with a little delicate sweetness thrown in.

Flying in the face of traditional whisky packaging, Smokehead’s striking tin and unique label are hard to miss.

An award-winning Islay single malt with a cult following that stands out from the crowd.

What Richard Says
Nose: Briny and meaty. Notes of licorice, honey, and rich earth (sort of like compost but not).
Palate: The taste is much more mellow and balanced than the nose would foretell. Sea salt, herbal liqueur, smoked salmon, and caramel and fruit sweetness.
Finish: It finishes with a light bit of campfire ash and cracked pepper around the edges.
Comments: The package and name are clearly geared toward a younger drinker and bristle with masculine undertones. The whisky itself is much more muted. I was expecting something along the lines of Big Peat but this is more reminiscent of a young Caol Ila or a lightly peated Bunnahabhain. A nice pleasing dram for sure.
Rating: Average

Sheep Dip Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$39.99
Website

What the Blender Says
No fewer than 16 different single malt whiskies, aged between 8 and 20 years, all woven together in specially selected first-fill oak casks for a distinctively full-bodied flavour.

What Richard Says
Nose: Compared to it’s Pig’s Nose stable mate this blend has more depth to it on the nose. Under ripe melons, poached pears, and malty back bone.
Palate: A young malty crispness.
Finish: Fairly short.
Comments: I had higher hopes for this over the Pig’s Nose but both disappoint. I don’t see any reason that should pay the mark up from Pig’s Nose to Sheep Dip. It’s a fairly bland and unoffensive blend but I will put my $40 to better use elsewhere.
Rating: Average

Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$29.99
Website

What the Blender Says
The whisky’s name plays on the notion that it’s as smooth as a pig’s nose.

Produced in specially selected first-fill oak casks, the seriously satisfying smoothness comes from combining oak-aged Speyside, Islay and Lowland malts with superior gentle grain whiskies.

What Richard Says
Nose: The is clean, crisp, lightly floral, and grassy.
Palate: Exceptionally light and smooth. There is a buttery creamy mouthfeel to it but beyond that it is nearly flavorless.
Finish: Just a wisp.
Comments: I don’t know about it being “smooth as a pig’s nose” but it is one of the lightest whiskies that I’ve ever tried. It’s almost flavorless but in a very smooth way. Not flavorless like vodka. I tend toward something with a bit more oomph when I choose a scotch but this surely won’t offend anyone.
Rating: Average