Spirit Type: Single Malt

Country: Scotland

ABV: 58.0%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

The bottle itself is rather ordinary, with a cylindrical body, rounded shoulders, and a somewhat shorter neck. All rather typical for a whisky from Scotland. The colour of the spirit within appears to be slightly darker than it actually is because the glass appears to be slightly tinted.

Punk rock-inspired graphics may be seen on the front. It feels as far from the stodgy and formal dining halls of Scotland as you can go, from the brushwork on the skull to the bright labelling.

Once the tinted bottle is removed, the liquid has a really excellent amber hue that is slightly darker than what we would typically anticipate from a scotch but still falls within the acceptable range.

Their Smokehead 43% Single Malt Scotch, which I've also sampled, had a level of smoke that almost made me fall out of my chair. Although it says "HIGH VOLTAGE" on the label, I'm not smelling nearly as much smoke from this glass. Yes, it exists, but it is much less obvious.

You'll notice right away when taking a taste that this spirit is more oily and mouth-filling than usual. The first taste is a salty, mineral umamwe flavour that makes you feel as though you're licking a slate rock on the seashore. This flavour really sets the stage for what comes next.

The smoke that follows adds a degree of richness and depth to the profile, appearing like an old coastal hut. The stronger flavours begin to fade after a short while, and the remaining ingredients—vanilla, toffee, caramel, and honey—join the mix. However, the smoke never truly goes away, and that flavour lingers in your mouth long after the spirit has left.

The flavour of the smoke is largely lost in this process. However, there is less of the smokey flavour that gives the flavours of brine and minerals depth and complexity. You also lose some of the richness of the other ingredients, like malted barley, vanilla, and honey, leaving you with a fairly one-note flavour.