The Skinny Whisky Guide

What Is it?

Smokehead Islay Single malt

Where’s It From?

The Skinny’s Whisky Guide leaves the mainland for a visit to Islay, a wind-lashed mecca for those who crave an iodine hit with their malt. Smokehead is a brand new malt, aimed fairly and squarely at the ‘contemporary’ side of the whisky-buying public; they even have their own branded i-pod and suggest using it to replace vodka in a mean ‘Smoked Mary’.

What Does It Taste Like?

‘A really vigorous whisky...not for the faint-hearted’ brags the brash, graffiti-ed packaging and, boy, are they right. One sip knocked me for six- and in the nicest way possible. Here is a brawny, briny, unabashed medley of flavours clamouring for your attention. As befits an Islay malt, there’s seaweed, sea salt and a hefty cut of peat in there, but also the mellowness that comes with sugary toffee, grapefruit and tongue-tingling spices, heavy with pepper and ginger. Smokehead warns that it’ll come at your tastebuds with all the bravado of a cannonball on a rollercoaster (or something). A perfect gift to arouse the palate of the whisky-fiend in your life.

Where Can I Get It?

Smokehead 70cl £29.99 shop.glengoyne.com. Also at Peckhams, Royal Mile Whiskies and selcted Sainsbury's