Grangestone Islay Blended Malt

So I learned three lessons with this whisky. First, don't put much stock in what a sales clerk recommends. Apparently, the staff at a major discount liquor store has been instructed to push particular brands, and that takes precedence over anything that they might know otherwise. I should have known better (I do now for sure). I can't even claim that it was a pretty face that temporarily clouded my judgement. Second - don't get taken in by the packaging and appearance (duh!). The cardboard container and the bottle label look very classy with embossed copper-colored lettering, the bottle is solid, no-nonsense, and the whisky is dark and rich-looking. Compared to a Lagavulin label, this one would look so much better on your shelf. So, the nose is just what you would expect given the blend's Islay origin. Peat, pure and simple. And that is exactly what you get in tasting it. But that is ALL that you get. I really could not pick up anything else, barrel notes, brine, nothing that could balance out the peat. This is a one dimensional whisky. Thankfully the finish was short because peat by itself is not very pleasant. And the third lesson - mixing in good whiskey with a poor whiskey doesn't necessarily improve it; it will likely just drag down the god whisky. I really don't know what I'm going to do with the rest of this bottle.

You can find it at total wine and they push it cause they have a contract with them. I've had their 21 year cuz a sales clerk bamboozled my friend and it sucked. Tasted like a low range highland 12 year. This one was 25 bucks so I figured why not try it. Tasted a lot like a smokier jb rare. Easy drinking but not a lot to offer. Flavors we're evened out and mild, smoky and sweet. It is an islay blend, which you will be able to tell right away. definitely not for the hardcore peat addicts. Overall not a bad tasting whisky and for the sale price I'd buy it again.

Neat: Nose - peat, iodine Palate - sweet, smoky Finish - slight burn, short taste, long smoke smell, slight salty Water: Nose - more peat, less iodine Palate - sweet, salt, peppery, medium burn Finish - short taste, long smoke smell, iodine

An intense Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Islay that has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, herbs & spices; while a rich life adds notes of vanilla that led to a long & intense smoky-peat death. June 2016 / August 2022

I think this is a great Scotch. peaty/ Smokey flavor with a touch of sweetness. 29 bucks Tucson AZ

excellent given the price