I was admiring the look of the bottle and a liquor store employee advised me to stay away from it because "it tastes like a dirty ashtray",... so of course I bought it on the spot. What a sleeper. One of the better blended malts I've ever had, and probably the cheapest too. Smokey sweet deliciousness.
Hahaha! To each their own right? Honestly, that is one of the most striking bottles around. I really love the look! Totally a sleeper hit, I still wish it was a little higher in ABV, but a really solid example of a blend. Cheers!
@@djentile7773That's why you didn't care for it. Peated scotch is definitely not for everyone, you really have to enjoy the flavor of smoke, or it's probably not going to be for you. They really should make it more plain on the label that it is peated.
I'm drinking it now and honestly I feel like 43% would be a bit over powering to the palate. Upon the first sip it was really smokey nonetheless, and it really simmered down nicely as I sat the glass down and it definitely called me back to it. The orange is good there and the chocolate and nutty notes in the middle are a nice touch. Definitely a good sipper, it opens up nicely throughout the dram. I actually added two ice arches and it really smooths out and reveals the creamy notes we look for. Honesty I like it neat but a drop of water doesn't disappoint.
It really did surprise me on how well it did deliver. And for the right price and really hold itself against the "bigger" Islay brands. Glad you're enjoying it! Cheers!
I still am quite surprised on this bottle. Turned out much better than expected! As for Smokehead I've been fortunate to review several of their releases and have more coming. HUGE fan of Smokehead! Cheers!
I use to smoke pipe tobacco I felt like it tasted just like a latakia heavy english pipe tobacco like dunhill nightcap. Is that normal for a scotch? Is that what peat is? My first drink of this almost gagged me because i wasnt expecting such a strong flavor... of coarse my go to is Bulleit 10 years aged.
Welcome to the deep end my friend! Jumping into a Peaty Scotch can be quite a ride. So peat can be an earthy, mossy, damp earth. And I've had smokey be anything from campfire, to tobacco, sulphuric, or medicinal. Each region of Scotland can do crazy things with peat. Even American peated is a different beast. I really enjoy Bulleit 10 year! It can be a bit of a hunt for me here in Indiana, but it’s a solid pour. If you are looking to explore peated scotch I’d recommend Talisker, gives a good balance of fruity and smoke elements. If I can help direct you to something let me know! Cheers!
@@desertratedc9596 Nothing with tastes is ever crazy! Our brains are amazing and sometimes they match things up that sound crazy but life experiences are as unique as tastes. Cheers!
Bought this as a gift and they opened it to share….it was HORRIBLE!!! Smelled like a cross between turpentine and bandaids… tasted just as gross! Wondering if something was wrong with the bottle we bought. Hate spending $40 on something that you can’t even drink!
I was admiring the look of the bottle and a liquor store employee advised me to stay away from it because "it tastes like a dirty ashtray",... so of course I bought it on the spot.
What a sleeper. One of the better blended malts I've ever had, and probably the cheapest too.
Smokey sweet deliciousness.
Hahaha! To each their own right? Honestly, that is one of the most striking bottles around. I really love the look!
Totally a sleeper hit, I still wish it was a little higher in ABV, but a really solid example of a blend. Cheers!
The employee was right. This stuff tastes terrible.
@@djentile7773 Do you normally like peated scotch though?
@@StillLivinginthewoodsNo I'm more of a tequila reposado with lime salt guy lol
@@djentile7773That's why you didn't care for it.
Peated scotch is definitely not for everyone, you really have to enjoy the flavor of smoke, or it's probably not going to be for you.
They really should make it more plain on the label that it is peated.
bought my first bottle last night. liked it so much, i checked UA-cam. found your channel and subscribed.
Welcome aboard! What did you think of the Deacon?? Let me know!
I'm drinking it now and honestly I feel like 43% would be a bit over powering to the palate. Upon the first sip it was really smokey nonetheless, and it really simmered down nicely as I sat the glass down and it definitely called me back to it. The orange is good there and the chocolate and nutty notes in the middle are a nice touch. Definitely a good sipper, it opens up nicely throughout the dram. I actually added two ice arches and it really smooths out and reveals the creamy notes we look for. Honesty I like it neat but a drop of water doesn't disappoint.
It really did surprise me on how well it did deliver. And for the right price and really hold itself against the "bigger" Islay brands. Glad you're enjoying it! Cheers!
It's 40 in Iowa in a hy-vee supermarket liquor store.
for $40 I think its a solid grab, I wish the ABV was a few % higher but overall solid. Cheers!
I enjoyed your review and your energy. That bottle is an eye catcher for sure. I may get one after my Macallan 12y runs out.
For the right price I enjoy it for sure. Plus it seems its availability is much wider than when I ordered it. Cheers!
my son got 1 for me today xmas day 2024 very nice whiskey and stunning bottle, currently £26 in uk. You should try smokehead whiskey :)
I still am quite surprised on this bottle. Turned out much better than expected! As for Smokehead I've been fortunate to review several of their releases and have more coming. HUGE fan of Smokehead! Cheers!
Very nice review
I use to smoke pipe tobacco I felt like it tasted just like a latakia heavy english pipe tobacco like dunhill nightcap. Is that normal for a scotch? Is that what peat is? My first drink of this almost gagged me because i wasnt expecting such a strong flavor... of coarse my go to is Bulleit 10 years aged.
Welcome to the deep end my friend! Jumping into a Peaty Scotch can be quite a ride. So peat can be an earthy, mossy, damp earth. And I've had smokey be anything from campfire, to tobacco, sulphuric, or medicinal. Each region of Scotland can do crazy things with peat. Even American peated is a different beast.
I really enjoy Bulleit 10 year! It can be a bit of a hunt for me here in Indiana, but it’s a solid pour. If you are looking to explore peated scotch I’d recommend Talisker, gives a good balance of fruity and smoke elements. If I can help direct you to something let me know!
Cheers!
@The Last Call good to know I'm not crazy to think it tasted like a english tobacco with a heavy hand of Turkish latakia aromatic tobacco.
@@desertratedc9596 Nothing with tastes is ever crazy! Our brains are amazing and sometimes they match things up that sound crazy but life experiences are as unique as tastes. Cheers!
Tasted kinda like a ardbeg peat flavor more then the others I'd guess they are using some taliskar or breinch I think
My husband just bought it today for $38.99
Great grab for $38.99 honestly! Hope he enjoys!
Same. I got it for about 36 something at my corner store. I haven’t tried it yet. I bought for the cool bottle 😅
Bought this as a gift and they opened it to share….it was HORRIBLE!!! Smelled like a cross between turpentine and bandaids… tasted just as gross! Wondering if something was wrong with the bottle we bought. Hate spending $40 on something that you can’t even drink!
Out of curiosity, what are some peated scotches you enjoy?
same here... I ended up spilling the entire bottle in the sink just to keep the badass bottle.
Just bought a bottle and its awful!
Tastes like spoiled rubbing alcohol. Disgusting.
What are some other islay scotches you enjoy?
This is probably the worst alcohol ive ever had.
Just curious, what are some peated scotches you've had prior to this one? Always love hearing what people enjoy. Cheers!