Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

VITALS:

- $37

- 100 Proof

- NAS

- Islay

I have had a lot of fun grabbing some of the Kirkland Signature offerings at Costco.  Of course, some of them have indicated which distillery they come from. Some have been clearly higher end or more limited release items, carrying healthy age statements at reasonable prices.

This bottle, however, is just a simple, off-the-shelf Islay Single Malt.  The bottle doesn't indicate where it's from. It doesn't carry an age statement. And, it only states that it was "matured in oak casks."  But, for a mere $37, I was more than happy to throw it into my cart.  I do love those smoky Islay single malts, and at the very least I figured I'd be getting something along the lines of Ardbeg's Wee Beastie.

The nose was full of those phenols, giving off a strong peat aroma. It was definitely along the lines of a campfire soot type of smoke.  I didn't really get the band aid note, or even fresh campfire note. It was that charcoal and ash note.  Interestingly, there was something sweet in the aroma as well. It wasn't prominent, but there was definitely a honey and even a butterscotch note.

As to flavor, this was unquestionably an Islay single malt. It was smoky, filling my mouth with that freshly put out campfire note that I was getting off the nose. It was fairly heavy and definitely took over the pour.  

However, the sweet notes were there as well.  The butterscotch that I got on the nose and was hunting for on each sip was there, but it was fleeting. However, there was a light honey note as well as a sort of cereal note that reminded me of graham crackers and even Honey Smacks cereal . . . but smoked. I assume that this is a fairly young whisky. So, it was interesting that I also got a somewhat prominent oak note. It wasn't bitter, but it definitely had that oaky flavor to it. 

The finish left that smoke all over my mouth. It was hard to escape, and it reminded me a bit of smoking a cigar, where that taste just doesn't seem to go away, no matter if you drink something else, eat something or even brush your teeth. I like the peat, but here it was just so one-dimensional that there wasn't much else left on the finish.

For the price, this is a buy. However, I'm not grabbing this off my shelf if I'm in the mood for a really good Islay single malt.  

Grade: C+