Smokey Joe

Rating: 15/23 N: The nose is fairly pungeant with sour richness that initially reminds me of vomit and Copper Fox Rye. There's prominent peat, sour brine, and smoke. There's a bit of sweetness on the nose too that reminds me of Talisker and Caol Ila when combined with the smoke and strong iodine. The nose is somehow sour and smokey without being particularly herbal or having something else going on. It's fairly intriguing though and I'm looking forward to tasting it despite the apparent lack of balance. As is common with Islay Scotch, it smells savory and there is a decent amount going on. P: The palate is immediately both sweet and smokey with that briny flavor from before holding it together along with a weird jalapeno spiciness coming from the peat. There's quite a bit of iodine adding some richness and bitterness. There's actually a fair amount happening here. It is surprisingly sweet, a bit like sugar water was added to it, and it's kind of light for an Islay Scotch, but that can all be written off as elegance I guess. That vomit element is still a bit of a problem, but sort of like the Laphroaig 10 Band-Aids, it isn't insurmountable. There's a bit of grain coming through here too to really sell the profile. The balance is surprisingly good, actually, despite its brashness. There's some menthol in with the iodine too, though they're blended well to form the peat. It certainly doesn't taste old, but it also doesn't taste hacked together either. F: The peat and smoke linger along with that sugar water sweetness, the brine, and the jalapeno spiciness. It's a lasting finish that is actually pretty soild. For a cheap Islay Scotch, this seems like a great choice. It's definitely at least a 12 and could be a 15. Talisker 10 is undoubtably richer and more harmonious with more sweetness and malt, as well as smoothness. This tastes young in comparison for sure and it's definitely harsh, though Islay whiskeys can actually get away with that. Between the two, I think the Talisker wins, but not by a tremendous margin. Caol Ila 12 is also richer, but with more chocolate to its flavor that makes it quite hedonistic before letting the fruity notes on it. The Caol Ila is also very well balanced. In direct comparison, the Smokey Joe comes across as harsh and young with a thin body. The Caol Ila is definitely better despite perhaps not having as much complexity. Clynelish 14 is also richer with some sweet fruitiness despite the waxiness given way to a less full and rich finish. Of course, this isn't a totally reasonable comparison since Clynelish isn't peated, but it feels warranted somehow. I still like the Clynelish better, though I think the Caol Ila is the best. What's apparent from all of this though is that Smokey Joe is harsh and young in comparison with a thin palate. I think I like the others better, though Smokey Joe is honestly not bad. Clynelish does have a weird long finish, so maybe I'm not as big of a fan of that one. Although light and young, Smokey Joe tastes more like it is filling a niche than like it is an underaged wreck. It isn't bad, frankly. Yeah, there's a lot of weird stuff here that's quite in-your-face, but I keep coming back to this being a fairly drinkable whiskey. This is far from the subtlety and elegance of Lagavulin 16, but it's still not awful. This may have more aggressive nature, but it's still a tad less rich. Yet not awful. It has none of the sweet chocolate richness of Ardbeg Corryvreckan in direct comparison, though that leaves me wondering since when Ardbeg Corryvreckan had those characteristics. In comparison, Smokey Joe unfortunately has a vomit foulness, though it still isn't enough to provide a really disgusting, jarring experience a la Clan MacGregor. Port Charlotte 10 is richer and certainly smokier, but also not super well balanced with some added fruitiness and malty sweetness, but not as much complexity. This isn't as good, but I keep coming back to how surprisingly good this is. Yeah, it's light and young and all that, but it's actually fairly drinkable. Now that I've had it side-by-side with several other drams, I'm giving it at least a 13. I think a 14 is warranted. I could see a 15 as well. Not sure about a 16. This would be easy whiskey to dismiss, but it's actually fairly good. The price is higher than I expected, but so is the quality. I think it might earn that 15 since it was right up there with Talisker and Caol Ila, but I'll give that another try on a clean palate with my last sip. If this were $30 instead of $40, it would be an easy buy. I think the 46% ABV works out here too since it would otherwise be a bit insubstantial. Actually, I think I'm going to up it to 15 right now. In direct comparison, this definitely does not have the sour brashness and sugar water sweetness of Copper Fox Rye, though it does have more complexity. Wow! It's kind of in the style of Copper Fox Rye mixed with Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Given its name, I never suspected that this might be a good whisky.

Nose - medicinal peat, rubber, iodine, smoked meat, leather, tar, caramel, vanilla, lemon zest, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - rubbery peat, tar, green apple, toffee, dry vanilla, iodine, leather, mesquite, smoked meat, lemon zest, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with peat smoke, toffee, and lemon zest flavors. I may have been a little tough on Total Wine yesterday. Not all of their house offerings are awful. This is one of those cases. Now before you go full Black Friday and stampede through the aisles of your local store, this isn’t great; it’s just not terrible. The nose is classic Islay, but more youthful and timid than most. It’s medicinal, rubbery, and meaty, with a bit of caramel and vanilla making an appearance. The palate is more boisterous, with citrus zest and green apple joining the smoke party. Overall, this is better than average. It tastes as I’d imagine a young Laphroaig and Caol Ila blend would if it were diluted too much. This is bottled at 46%, but is still thin and watery. It has good bones, but the execution is flawed. It’s not at the same level as other young Islays like Wee Beastie, and it’s certainly inferior to Laphroaig 10 and Caol Ila 12, however this is priced right at $37 a bottle near me. If you want an Islay and are on a shoestring budget, Smokey Joe isn’t a bad option.

The nose is equal parts gentle and aggressive simultaneously. Gentle honey and heather mingle smartly with a noticeable 46% ABV and classic Islay peat, that is strong with maritime influence, plus subtle oak vanillin. Not terribly complex, but perfectly pleasant. The juxtaposition of the sweet and smoky elements on the palate is far less harmonious than the nose. It starts off rather sweet, transitioning from golden syrup to almost a caramel, then it becomes peppery hot. Stone fruit in the way of nectarine and apricot is briefly detected, followed by a certain copper-nickel metallic note, and a medicinal sooty smoke. The body is on the lighter side of medium, with few if any legs presenting in the glass after a quick recession leaving behind a few droplets here and there. The somewhat long finish is just challenging enough to be intriguing without being overbearing. Plenty of peat hangs on beside a bit of briny seaweed and bitter iodine underlaid with citrus peels and pith served up in a wooden bowl. Aroma: 8 Taste: 7 Body: 6 Finish: 7

Nose- campfire but if you are burning sappy logs. Taste - smoke initially then smoke and ash, them finishes with smoke. Seriously. There are light tickles of phenol on the nose, vanilla on the palate, some spice then finish has a little peat and sea salt. But those are at a 3 and smoke is an 11. It hits the itch if you want a pure smoke bomb but lacks nuance or depth. Water and ice didn't change much but the flavor of the smoke. Tried it in a fevertree smoked ginger beer. This is it's happy place. If I ordered this in Vegas for $25 I'd be impressed. Sweet and smokey balanced out with hints of oak and spicy bourbon and ginger. If I had a line wedge it would be perfect evening drink by the campfire.

Nose: Heavy smoke. Sea salt. Grassy and earthy. Some hidden fruitiness. Heavy and pleasant. Palate: A little hotter than expected, decent spice. Smoky. Some caramel coming through while the salt and hints of pepper round it out. Finish: Long and smooth, like a proper Islay. A little pepper. Heat lingering and grassiness sticking around longest. Overall Thoughts: The name checks out! Not bad but nothing I’d consider to be top shelf. Islay is always a lovely choice in my opinion but this is on the weaker side and it’s overall just kinda bland. It’s tasty enough to sip on but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to get a 750ml bottle any time soon. The nose ends up being the nicest part.

This is really Smokey and slightly peaty and to be honest I don’t enjoy drinking it as it is. I will say though this is similar to Shieldaig “finest old” which is also too Smokey for me to drink as is. I will use this as I do Shieldaig which is to mix it with some other rather undesirable whiskey that seems to have very little balance. I have found making my own blended whiskey to be very satisfying. I just have a weakness for buying whiskeys that I’ve never heard of or had before regardless of price or of previous known reviews. Blending whiskeys together allows me to eventually drink all of my stock.