Head-to-head 2 McClelland Expressions

[Quaich1]

I put The McClellands Highland and McClelland's Islay Single Malt Scotch head-to-head this afternoon. The distilleries involves are not indicated. Here we go:

McClelland's Highland

Neat

Nose: Floral, lemon grass, citrus notes erupt; bakery aromas like fresh buns in the oven, fruit n' oak.

Palate: Fruit cocktail, syrupy, spice, oakiness, flecks of peat and whispers of smoke.

Finish: Lingering, mild black licorice and background pleasant layers of "thin" peat and smoke.

McClelland's Islay

Neat

Nose: Sweet peat intially surges forth, medicinal, "mushy peas" (go figure) and waves of pungent barley.

Palate: Raw, rough, sharp "youngish" peat with heavy oak; oily.

Finish: Long, creosote, pungent dry ash and old leather cracking at the seams.

Comments

No contest here. This Highland expression is way ahead in terms of balance and overall appeal. The nose however on the Islay expression is actually well-received but the palate is a frontal attack with "unshaven" (6 o'clock shadow-ha ha), unrefined, edgy peat and heavy oak tones which in combination are over-powering if not off-putting.

Your comments? Any guesses as to distilleries involved?
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[James T]

I have no doubt they will been produced in Morrison Bowmore distilleries as McClellands is one of their brands. It has been sometime since i have saw any McClellands on sale here i assume it all goes to overseas markets now. Last time i had the McClellands Isaly malt i was certain it was a young rough Bowmore and i would say there is a good chance the McClellands Highland is Glen Garioch.

[William]

Jim your guesses at which distillery is very likely correct. It is a few years since i have tasted any of the McClellands malts, as you say we dont see them here now. The Coop used to sell them a few years back.

The McClelland's Islay doesnt sound like it was worth the money Murray even though it is a cheaper option for a single malt.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[Quaich1]