Isle of Skye 12 Year Old Scotch Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Isle of Skye blended whiskies weren’t exactly unknown in American prior to this year. A quick Googling reveals US-based whiskey bloggers writing about it a decade ago. However, those reviews were based on special imports or something that the writer brought home with them from a trip to the UK. Now all the expressions of this wide line-up are on American shelves, and the lower tiers are much more available (and probably cheaper to boot).

The 12 Year Old entry in the line really does take things up a notch compared to the 8 Year Old. Yet like its younger sibling, the whisky is a blend of Speyside and Island stocks. The difference shows both in the 50% increase in maturation, and one suspects that a higher proportion of Sherry-aged stock was drawn upon as well.

The Scotch
The pour has a golden coloring, and a scent that carries cream and honey coupled to heather and hay, with a dash of cilantro for good measure. Against that nose, which really has some character, the palate has a lighter character. The honey and heather/hay field flavors are still there, of course, with a seasoning of Bigelow Constant Comment tea and hints of vanilla and peat. That last note, the peat, is very faint indeed. I missed it on my first go-around. The finish runs light, with a little spice and an even smaller dose of smoke.

The Price
Officially, this bottle now fetches $27.99. I see it listed at a similar price point in the UK and Europe. Frankly, if you can snag a bottle for under $30, you’ve got a very good buy on your hands.