Smokehead Extra Black 18 Year Old, 700ml
While the exact distillery remains unknown, speculation points towards several established names on Islay, renowned for their heavily peated whiskies.
Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin are frequently mentioned as contenders, each known for their distinct smoky styles.
This bottling of Smokehead 18-year-old was limited to 6,000 bottles, each housed in a distinctive black bottle. Released in unspecified year, it offered a matured expression of the brand's typically Islay-sourced, heavily peated single malt Scotch whisky.
Nose: Rich and profound, dominated by powerful peat and smoke. Beneath the initial smokiness, layers of complexity unfold: warm spices like clove and cinnamon, earthy herbal notes, and surprising hints of tropical fruit like pineapple or mango.
Palate: Starts medium-bodied and smooth, then expands with a wave of spice and lingering peat smoke. Subtle sweetness emerges, offering notes of toasted oak, rich dark chocolate, and the ever-present peat influence.
Finish: Long and satisfying, characterized by lingering fruity notes, reminiscent of tropical fruits, and a final flourish of cocoa.