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Smokehead 15 Year Old Review

Is Smokehead 15 Year Old the perfect gateway into peated whisky? This refined Islay surprisingly balances smoke with vanilla and caramel notes without overwhelming the palate.

OVERALL RATING

10
$79
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Smokehead has introduced its oldest expression to date with the US launch of Smokehead 15 Year Old, a peated Islay single malt. The September release marks the brand’s expansion into aged territory while maintaining its signature smoky profile. “We’re excited to introduce our Smokehead 15-Year-Old as our boldest Smokehead Single Malt yet,” said Karen Walker, brand director for Smokehead Whisky. Smokehead’s core range includes several expressions that experiment with different cask finishes and flavor profiles while maintaining the intense smoke character associated with Islay malts.

The 15-year-old represents the brand’s move into premium aged statements, a growing segment within the Scotch whisky category.

“Bringing Smokehead 15-Year-Old to the U.S. marks an exciting milestone in our expansion,” said Erika Solorzano, marketing manager for North America.

“Smokehead has already built a loyal following for its bold personality and innovative cask techniques, and we’re thrilled to now share that rebellious spirit with whisky fans across the United States.”

For those of us in the US and want to try and find a bottle, distribution will be handled through Total Wine & More and specialist whisky retailers nationwide.
Appearance:
Dark copper with quick thin legs.
Nose:
Just engulfs you in warm leathery peat smoke, soft hints of herbs and peppercorn. Subtle vanilla or almost a custard. The finish is back to light smoke and herbs.
Palate:
Surprisingly not as overwhelmingly smokey as I anticipated! Very refined on the palate. Nice body of peat without becoming overwhelming, it allows for the subtle ex-bourbon cask notes of vanilla and caramel to poke through. There is a pancake bready richness to the body, cloves, some light sandalwood as well.
Finish:
Watery mouthfeel overall but warm and enjoyable as a finish. The peat evolves into light cigar smoke, sea salt, lemon zest all wrap your tongue and hold nicely.
Comments:
Admission – I am traditionally not a big fan of peated whisky. So take my review accordingly. To me, this is a great Isaly whisky! It is well tempered between the malty body, smoke, and spice of the whole drink. It hits the peat, make no doubt about it, but it doesn’t just keep hitting you over the head with that note or profile. You get to explore the more robust malted sugars, the finishing cask, and the joy of this whisky without feeling like you need to wash your clothes.

Now, in fairness, I certainly can appreciate that to some drinkers this will be muted and not the peat profile they want. So far warning. If you’re a peat-head, I don’t think this will do it for you. For those casual observers of smoke, those who love a good profile and enjoy what smoke brings to the table, this whisky could be right up your alley! It was for me.

I’d share this with anyone who is Islay-curious. Maybe they aren’t ready for Monsters of Smoke or some of the heavy hitters in the genre, but if you want to show people something easy to drink, great to smell and taste, this is a wonderful option.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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