McClelland's Single Malt Speyside

Smell is pretty light a hint of fruity note not unpleasant but not great either. No burn at all, but also no taste at all. A hint of sweet, maybe fruit like pear, vanilla Definitely have some of the flavor of a typical Speyside but 10 times less strong. It probably a really young whisky . Everything disappear almost immediately the finish disappear so fast that is hard to distinguish the flavor except for perhaps vanilla and butterscotch that lingered It's drinkable and for the price I can see why some enjoy, but I probably wont buy anymore. Even ballantines that around 25$ cad in my area at regular price is more complexe and a better choice neat or as a mix.

Tasted neat. Nose: Melted butter and honey. Notes of vanilla. Smells inviting. Arrival: Sweet and salty, but mostly sweet. Reminiscent of dried fruit. Black pepper and toffee are in there as well. The arrival is less interesting than the odor. Finish: The sweetness goes, leaving a slightly bitter taste. Brings citrus rind and cinnamon to mind. Once that's gone there's a slightly smokey aftertaste that lingers for a while. Overall it's not a bad dram but it doesn't stand out much either. Inoffensive, and enough different notes to peak the interest of a new scotch drinker. For 45.00 CAD, I'd say you're getting about what you pay for.

N: dried fruits, pear, apple, toffee, caramel, vanilla, baking spices, and unfortunately a slight ethanol or paint fume like note (the youngness showing up) that will subside a little if set to sit. T: nearly identical to the nose with an added orange citrus to it. Short to medium finish with some floral and pepper from the barrel spices. Overall, not exactly my speed for a Speyside. But that’s what you get for a budget Scotch.

Neat, at home: Terrific for the price point. SALTY at the top, the burn is but a flesh wound. METALLIC/battery; vanilla creme; an oak CIGAR BOX; dried hay; apricot and dried ORANGE PEEL, but without the prickly spice; almonds. The vanilla keeps coming with a dash of water. The finish is white pepper, and a touch of cinnamon. It's very mild and easy to drink, sweet, spicy and salty.

Very well rounded Speyside malt. The nose and palette convey its youth, but somehow this whiskey still manages a smooth entry. Light notes of fruit, toffee, vanilla and caramel, with a surprisingly long finish for such a young whisky. Great value scotch malt and a solid introduction to Speyside on a budget.

Odor: Simple and not very overpowering, limited smoke. Taste: More sweet than smooth, lacking the expected Speyside bite and smoke. Still, a good job balancing the bitterness of cheaper whisky. Finish: Not unpleasant, but little in the way of distinct flavors.