Great comparison! I got the Kirkland last year at Costco for $39.99! Incredible value, and yes also heard it was Caol Ila. Love that Port Askaig 110 although it's been a couple years since I've had it (and it's also Caol Ila I believe).
Interestingly enough I have had all three of these whiskies. The Talisker 8 was not the 2016 Anniversary edition (though I do have one still unopeded). The Port Askaig was tasted as part of a 14 member zoom tasting and it was handily overtaken by a Talisker 10. As for the Kirkland I happened upon it last year when I had an hour to kill and visited a nearby Costco, which is not something I do very often. What caught my eye was that it was bottled at 50% abv. and though $60 Canadian I bought one to try. That evening, after dinner, I cracked it open and found it to be quite engaging, a certain oilyness, clarity, and body. I have to say that, from memory mind you, I preferred the Kirkland to the Port Askaig. The Lagavulin 8, again from memory, was markedly different and in a class of its own, more distillate driven, clean, and austere in a good way. I liked the Kirkland Islay well enough to go out and buy another two bottles.
There are only a few Islay distilleries and all reviewers agree they are exceptional. That the reviewers imply there is something wrong with this dram because it comes from Alexander Murray and Kirkland's is absurd. This is a genuine Islay Whisky from one of the famous distillers at 100 proof and at an exceptional price... 36 dollars at my Costco. I don't buy whisky for the label but for the taste. Cheers!
It’s getting darn difficult to find any official bottles of Coal Ila. I can’t recall the last time I saw the 18 anywhere. It’s one of those malts that seems to have a greater presence from independent bottlers (NDP) rather then their namesake. As with Talisker, the price of official Coal Ila releases have soared.
Sooo true! Ugh, those old Tali's were delicious, and the Caol Ila 18's were full of briney, smoked kipper goodness! Thank you for the comment and cheers!
I found a lot of notes I recognized from Lagavulin 12s in the Kirkland too, and for a minute I found some peated Bunna notes, but in the end I think it's probably Caol Ila too. Nice little bottle.
Yep, it's a bit of a curve ball because we know distilleries don't like to sell off their "on profile" barrels. But thank you for being here and cheers!
I just picked up the Kirkland for $35. We are you being charged $60? At that price I would probably lean towards a Port Charlotte heavily peated… but that’s just me. Cheers and thanks for a enjoyable no nonsense review.
Yeah, I really only bought it since I can’t get it here in Texas, I wanted to review it, & I knew some of their single malts had been solid. But I agree, at $60, PC is a heavier whisky. Thank you for being here and cheers!
Great video as always. What do you do with the remaining liquid in your Glenn’s after the videos? Do you dump them? Drink them? Infinity bottle? Looking forward to your 2022 review of the best in class!
When I first bought the Kirkland I did some research online and most agreed it was Port Charlotte. Unfortunately I don't get it here in Puerto Rico so I can't confirm that. What I can say for sure is that it's very good and a great deal for an Islay single malt.
I have no experience with the Kirkland, but I picked up a bottle of the Askiag a few years ago; I still have it. literally undrinkable on its own, only useful for adding smoke to other drinkable whiskys.
That's a tough one. A few jump to mind, but they're not current releases (and they tend to be hit and miss even among the same brand/vintage). I think what you're looking for are the rancio tones that the older Armagnacs usually develop. So I'd say check the Darroze 20 or the 50 year old (oddly the 40 is lacking a bit in rancio - but is very fruity and delicious). Surprisingly, the 20 year Darroze had a lot of those notes when I bought a bottle two years ago. Another brandy (Armenian Brandy) that had a ton was the Charles Aznavour 25 Year by Ararat. Or you could try your luck with some 30-50 year old Delords. Hopefully that helps a bit. Thank you and cheers!
Thankyou LiquorHound 🙌 I associate rancio with old libraries & armchairs, the Armagnacs fit the bill. What I am particularly looking for is tobacco notes in anything I drink.
Picked up my Kirkland Islay for under $36. It resembles the Port Charlotte 10 fairly closely. I suspect a vatting that includes younger barrels (hence the lack of age statement) and the relatively youthful nose. I’d appreciate your expertise on the matter.
I just checked the price of the Kirkland in China on Taobao (China's version of Amazon). 339 RMB or 48.26 USD. The prices and availability of Whisky's here are much better than my home country Australia 😪
![Scarabus Islay Single Malt [Hunter Laing] Review](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IA13PGtFQfg/mqdefault.jpg)
Terrific comparison! I wish I could get a bottle of the Kirkland Islay whisky! I enjoyed this a lot! Thanks.
Great comparison!
I got the Kirkland last year at Costco for $39.99! Incredible value, and yes also heard it was Caol Ila.
Love that Port Askaig 110 although it's been a couple years since I've had it (and it's also Caol Ila I believe).
Thank you for the comment! I agree that it's a great value, and it's hard to go wrong with any of these. Cheers!
yes, based on my research a few years ago its Caol Isla
I got my Kirkand and Costco in Geneva, IL for $37, what a bargain! And as always, great review, thank you !
Awesome and thank you!
Interestingly enough I have had all three of these whiskies. The Talisker 8 was not the 2016 Anniversary edition (though I do have one still unopeded). The Port Askaig was tasted as part of a 14 member zoom tasting and it was handily overtaken by a Talisker 10. As for the Kirkland I happened upon it last year when I had an hour to kill and visited a nearby Costco, which is not something I do very often. What caught my eye was that it was bottled at 50% abv. and though $60 Canadian I bought one to try. That evening, after dinner, I cracked it open and found it to be quite engaging, a certain oilyness, clarity, and body. I have to say that, from memory mind you, I preferred the Kirkland to the Port Askaig. The Lagavulin 8, again from memory, was markedly different and in a class of its own, more distillate driven, clean, and austere in a good way.
I liked the Kirkland Islay well enough to go out and buy another two bottles.
just picked up a few botles of the Kirkland Islay for 34.99; best value in Scotch
I haven't seen this Kirkland Islay in any Costco for a year now
There are only a few Islay distilleries and all reviewers agree they are exceptional. That the reviewers imply there is something wrong with this dram because it comes from Alexander Murray and Kirkland's is absurd. This is a genuine Islay Whisky from one of the famous distillers at 100 proof and at an exceptional price... 36 dollars at my Costco. I don't buy whisky for the label but for the taste. Cheers!
It’s getting darn difficult to find any official bottles of Coal Ila. I can’t recall the last time I saw the 18 anywhere. It’s one of those malts that seems to have a greater presence from independent bottlers (NDP) rather then their namesake. As with Talisker, the price of official Coal Ila releases have soared.
Sooo true! Ugh, those old Tali's were delicious, and the Caol Ila 18's were full of briney, smoked kipper goodness! Thank you for the comment and cheers!
I found a lot of notes I recognized from Lagavulin 12s in the Kirkland too, and for a minute I found some peated Bunna notes, but in the end I think it's probably Caol Ila too. Nice little bottle.
Yep, it's a bit of a curve ball because we know distilleries don't like to sell off their "on profile" barrels. But thank you for being here and cheers!
I just picked up the Kirkland for $35. We are you being charged $60? At that price I would probably lean towards a Port Charlotte heavily peated… but that’s just me. Cheers and thanks for a enjoyable no nonsense review.
Yeah, I really only bought it since I can’t get it here in Texas, I wanted to review it, & I knew some of their single malts had been solid. But I agree, at $60, PC is a heavier whisky. Thank you for being here and cheers!
Great video as always. What do you do with the remaining liquid in your Glenn’s after the videos? Do you dump them? Drink them? Infinity bottle?
Looking forward to your 2022 review of the best in class!
I usually finish them as I'm editing and uploading videos. My "Best of 2022" video will be up shortly! Thank you for being here and cheers!
When I first bought the Kirkland I did some research online and most agreed it was Port Charlotte. Unfortunately I don't get it here in Puerto Rico so I can't confirm that. What I can say for sure is that it's very good and a great deal for an Islay single malt.
I’m glad you agree and thank you for being here! Happy Holidays and cheers!
I have no experience with the Kirkland, but I picked up a bottle of the Askiag a few years ago; I still have it. literally undrinkable on its own, only useful for adding smoke to other drinkable whiskys.
Sorry to hear that, but sometimes we have these experiences. Happy new year and cheers!
Dear LiquorHound, Recommendations please for a scotch or armagnac with prominent tobacco, earth & leather notes.
That's a tough one. A few jump to mind, but they're not current releases (and they tend to be hit and miss even among the same brand/vintage). I think what you're looking for are the rancio tones that the older Armagnacs usually develop. So I'd say check the Darroze 20 or the 50 year old (oddly the 40 is lacking a bit in rancio - but is very fruity and delicious). Surprisingly, the 20 year Darroze had a lot of those notes when I bought a bottle two years ago. Another brandy (Armenian Brandy) that had a ton was the Charles Aznavour 25 Year by Ararat. Or you could try your luck with some 30-50 year old Delords. Hopefully that helps a bit. Thank you and cheers!
Thankyou LiquorHound 🙌
I associate rancio with old libraries & armchairs, the Armagnacs fit the bill.
What I am particularly looking for is tobacco notes in anything I drink.
Picked up my Kirkland Islay for under $36. It resembles the Port Charlotte 10 fairly closely. I suspect a vatting that includes younger barrels (hence the lack of age statement) and the relatively youthful nose. I’d appreciate your expertise on the matter.
Wow, awesome price! Congratulations, and thank you for watching! Cheers!
Not thrilled to be living in “only $60” for a NAS mystery distillery indie times.
I get the Islay Kirkland one at my Costco for about 36 bucks. A very good deal if you ask me.
Definitely at that price! Cheers!
I just checked the price of the Kirkland in China on Taobao (China's version of Amazon). 339 RMB or 48.26 USD. The prices and availability of Whisky's here are much better than my home country Australia 😪
I get the impression you liked the Lagavulin the best....
You'd be correct (not that the others are "bad"). Thank you for watching and cheers!
I've heard young bunna or port Charlotte