The heavy handed peat smoke flavor can be an acquired taste for some. I think this bottle is a great value, especially at 100 proof! I would have a hard time picking it out of a line-up of more popular Islays (Lagavulin, Laphroig, Ardbeg, etc.) You could experiment with using that bottle to blend in smoke flavor to your highland whiskeys (using drops at a time)
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful reply! And that's a very interesting suggestion, blending my own scotch to work myself up to that flavor. Who knows. Maybe someday I can enjoy a budget priced Islay. I've had Lagavulin before, but it was a mature 15 and it was not unpleasant to my palate. This bottle will go in the back of the cabinet but maybe from time to time I'll give it another *shot*. (5ml at a time, it will last quite a while)
It's an "Islay" so it's peaty and the burnt rubber smell is pretty normal. Try it side by side with a Laphoraig 10 and/or Port Charlotte 10 and this should more than hold its own. Almost all the other scotches you mention except for HP and Lagavuling are unpeated, ex-sherry etc and by definition no smokiness/iodine/burnt rubber. If you don't like peat/brine/smoke then yes stay away but for me at $35 this was great value. I bought two bottles last year, maybe this year's batch for some reason is way different /off but I thoroughly loved last year's rendition.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment! it was a $40 lesson that I don't like cheap Islay Scotches. I would take Jameson over that burnt rubber vibe. I've previously only had the more premium end of Islay, where the flavors were more nuanced. I never thought I would find a scotch I hated until this one. I'll keep it around and ask other people their general opinion of it without preamble. I'm pretty sure it will last a while though because most of the people I know don't like strong flavored whisky.
I absolutely agree with you 100% on this one. This stuff is undrinkable. Bought it over a year ago, tried it once, it's been sitting ever since. I guess smoky/peaty Islays just aren't for me!
good advice, thank you! Though since I did not like the taste or aroma of this young Islay, it would perhaps have made the nose even more intense, thus even less likable to my palate 😅
All the things you described about the Islay bottle is typical for all Islays. The Costco Islay can go toe to toe with other name brand Islays. It is the best of the budget Scotches that Costco has to offer. Your review isn't educated at all. You lack understanding & tasting experience on the Islay subcategory of Scotch.
Islay is not for the casual drinker who has enjoyed a wide range of bar drinks or even neat whisky/whiskeys - it's got a vile vibe for the average palate. Try it on your non-Islay educated friends without preamble and see what their reaction is. Prior to creating and publishing this video, I did exactly that with a half dozen of my friends. We all found it to be reminiscent of burned plastic or rubber. While it is true that I have never had Laphroaig or Ardbeg or Bruichladdich 10yr, I have sampled Lagavulin Aged 16 Years and enjoyed it. The flavor apparently has to be more subtle for me to enjoy it if it is infused with that burned peat profile. Plus, I have had a wonderful education since posting the video that I would have missed out on had I not. I watched YT vids of 3 other professionally trained tasters and now much better understand this 5th region of Scotch. I do like to broaden my horizons and improve my understanding of the complicated world around me. I am leaving this video up because it was part of that journey. My education is revealed in the updated video description, plus the comments and my replies to them. Cheers!
It is wild how much you dislike this scotch! It almost seems like you got a spoiled product? I am loving the smokey vibe of this bottle. I'm not nuanced enough to rattle of endless flavor notes like some reviwers on YT, but if what I can I'm not catching rubber in the char. Other reviews seem to have warmed to it far more than yourself, and while everything is subjective it is interesting to encounter such an contrary experience.
You don't know much about Islay Scotch. Band aid- burnt rubber is a standard profile for these products. Try it side by side with a glass of Laphroaig 10
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The heavy handed peat smoke flavor can be an acquired taste for some. I think this bottle is a great value, especially at 100 proof! I would have a hard time picking it out of a line-up of more popular Islays (Lagavulin, Laphroig, Ardbeg, etc.) You could experiment with using that bottle to blend in smoke flavor to your highland whiskeys (using drops at a time)
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful reply! And that's a very interesting suggestion, blending my own scotch to work myself up to that flavor. Who knows. Maybe someday I can enjoy a budget priced Islay. I've had Lagavulin before, but it was a mature 15 and it was not unpleasant to my palate. This bottle will go in the back of the cabinet but maybe from time to time I'll give it another *shot*. (5ml at a time, it will last quite a while)
Everything you said about the whisky are all desirable qualities for Islay fiends!
Definitely... I learned this along the way. This was a good education for me! Thanks for watching and commenting.
It's an "Islay" so it's peaty and the burnt rubber smell is pretty normal. Try it side by side with a Laphoraig 10 and/or Port Charlotte 10 and this should more than hold its own. Almost all the other scotches you mention except for HP and Lagavuling are unpeated, ex-sherry etc and by definition no smokiness/iodine/burnt rubber.
If you don't like peat/brine/smoke then yes stay away but for me at $35 this was great value. I bought two bottles last year, maybe this year's batch for some reason is way different /off but I thoroughly loved last year's rendition.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment! it was a $40 lesson that I don't like cheap Islay Scotches. I would take Jameson over that burnt rubber vibe. I've previously only had the more premium end of Islay, where the flavors were more nuanced. I never thought I would find a scotch I hated until this one. I'll keep it around and ask other people their general opinion of it without preamble. I'm pretty sure it will last a while though because most of the people I know don't like strong flavored whisky.
I absolutely agree with you 100% on this one. This stuff is undrinkable. Bought it over a year ago, tried it once, it's been sitting ever since. I guess smoky/peaty Islays just aren't for me!
Costco cognac is awesome. My everyday drink if it doesn’t damage my liver . Lol
I recommend using a Glencarin glass when really trying to taste whiskey. Tumblers are not ideal when sipping whiskey, neat.
good advice, thank you! Though since I did not like the taste or aroma of this young Islay, it would perhaps have made the nose even more intense, thus even less likable to my palate 😅
It's not just Kirkland, you apparently don't like Islay whisky in general.
I have sampled Lagavulin Aged 16 Years and enjoyed it. But you are correct, if it is Islay
All the things you described about the Islay bottle is typical for all Islays. The Costco Islay can go toe to toe with other name brand Islays. It is the best of the budget Scotches that Costco has to offer. Your review isn't educated at all. You lack understanding & tasting experience on the Islay subcategory of Scotch.
Islay is not for the casual drinker who has enjoyed a wide range of bar drinks or even neat whisky/whiskeys - it's got a vile vibe for the average palate. Try it on your non-Islay educated friends without preamble and see what their reaction is. Prior to creating and publishing this video, I did exactly that with a half dozen of my friends. We all found it to be reminiscent of burned plastic or rubber. While it is true that I have never had Laphroaig or Ardbeg or Bruichladdich 10yr, I have sampled Lagavulin Aged 16 Years and enjoyed it. The flavor apparently has to be more subtle for me to enjoy it if it is infused with that burned peat profile. Plus, I have had a wonderful education since posting the video that I would have missed out on had I not. I watched YT vids of 3 other professionally trained tasters and now much better understand this 5th region of Scotch. I do like to broaden my horizons and improve my understanding of the complicated world around me. I am leaving this video up because it was part of that journey. My education is revealed in the updated video description, plus the comments and my replies to them. Cheers!
It is wild how much you dislike this scotch! It almost seems like you got a spoiled product? I am loving the smokey vibe of this bottle. I'm not nuanced enough to rattle of endless flavor notes like some reviwers on YT, but if what I can I'm not catching rubber in the char. Other reviews seem to have warmed to it far more than yourself, and while everything is subjective it is interesting to encounter such an contrary experience.
Kirkland Islay is delicious. Just bought my 2nd bottle today. .
You don't know much about Islay Scotch. Band aid- burnt rubber is a standard profile for these products. Try it side by side with a glass of Laphroaig 10
@@georgesciascia4141 thanks for watching! Please read the description, it had updated information that I wrote AFTER I made this video
Do a video on the XO
Yikes, really swimming against the current.
Ah, what can you do. It's the only cheap scotch that tastes like burned rubber. I like all the rest. And if it's a more mature islay I can enjoy it!
It's all swill, if you had blind tastings, you wouldnt know what is what. It's liquor, pretending it's one way or the other is purely subjective.
…do not even use the correct glass…so that opinion about single malt is nonsense…
Hahaha. A lot of experience with scotch. Yet he doesnt know anything about Islay. 😅😅😅😅
Why are you wearing a dog collar?
My primary work is building gear, specifically gear that people can wear. This particular collar is a permanent one, I never take it off. It is attached with sex bolts (Chicago screws) made of stainless steel, the strap is PVC coated polyester webbing. It's waterproof, washable. I swim, hot tub, bathe with it. Think of it like jewelry (necklace), but it's a lot less expensive, and makes its own fashion statement.