Hamilton’s Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

[@RomanMusicMan]

One way to “elevate” these budget 40% ABV whiskies is to add a few drops of your favorite single malt scotch (e.g. Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig 10, Laga 8), or cask strength even better. Not only do you raise the ABV to get the right texture, but the smell, taste, and finish usually get transformed as well. Just a few drops does the trick! Cheers!

[@williambyington4864]

Thanks, Eric. I would like some more reviews of lower-price whiskeys so I can save a little on my everyday drams.

[@scottcross7150]

Good review. Hamilton's was actually my intro to peated whiskey. I was immediately hooked. Fortunately (I guess) I could not find it, so I started trying other peated whiskeys. I very quickly stumbled across Ardbeg 10 and FELL IN LOVE (before I found your channel). I agree. Hamilton's is a great intro to peated whiskey. While there are much better whiskeys out there it is a pleasant intro to the uninitiated like I was.

[@michaelhassler7446]

My daily dram is Teachers, but it's only somewhat peated, but it tastes so good for under $20.

[@gratay2075]

not peated at all

[@michaelhassler7446]

@@gratay2075 yes, it uses 45% Ardmore single malt, which is a smokey and peaty single malt.

[@gratay2075]

You get peat taste at all in teachers

[@michaelhassler7446]

@@gratay2075 not really, but I drink some heavily peated stuff quite a bit. But I'm just telling you what I've read about it.

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Nice review mate. For a minute I was thinking I was in the bothy somewhere in the Irish Sea.

[@befuddled2010]

Whisky and food pairings are always welcome, especially when Toblerone is in the mix. Happy 2022 Erik!

[@FerNightwalker]

I saw a couple of bottles of Hamilton's in a store a few years ago when i recently starting my journey, i never bought any of them, they were Highland & Speyside Blended Malt, If they had an Islay I would have bought it for sure. Maybe this 2022 I'll go for one of them, just for curiosity's. Thank you Erik, cheers

[@greenvalley651]

hi Erik ,I am surprised you havent review the Scarabus single malt 46% from Islay, only 35$ only in Total wine, I have bought 3 bottles already after I tried it ,

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

It’s not available at a TW&M near me and they won’t ship it. I’ve been looking for it.

[@greenvalley651]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies ooh, ok, that's why, cheers Erik happy new years, and thank you for your quick reply, I appreciate all of your scotch reviews,

[@BobbyJ_19x]

Great review! Really need to do more paring with food to bring out some of those notes. Need to go find me a Toblerone bar now! Cheers!🥃

[@michaelgonzalez347]

Would you recommend these lower budget bottles as entry level bottles rather than a more well know bottle? I figured due to the lower cost and with the notes not being so bad, that it would be better to use these to help newbies get exposed before moving up to the next level.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I'd recommend it for a newbie if they are experimenting with peat BUT if they want to understand the distilleries I'd recommend an official bottling.

[@eviltrain24]

The finish of this dram has a green mint jelly to my palette which I just can't abide. The nose was I think the nicest part with honey ham on the grill (not smoker) with some dull peppermint and heather. Taste just read as smoked honey'd ham water with a touch of natural rubber. But that finish...

[@mikeappleget482]

“Green mint jelly” You just described the aftertaste I get from Lagavulin 16 but could never put my finger on it and put it into words.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

MANY peated whiskies have a mint character on the finish.

[@Kyle-qc6rq]

Erik, do you have a recommendation for a whisky with the “ash” flavor profile? Thank you

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Laphroaig 10 when first opened has an ash character. But the most ashy whisky I've ever had was the Ardbeg Perpetuum.

[@sonicfreak9473]

I love you Erik! Always enjoy your videos. I am from Argentina, far south, and recently discovered a local single malt brand called "La Orden del Libertador". They have a 10 year old single malt finished in malbec wine casks from Luigi Bosca's "Icono" wine, as well as a 12 year old finished in Belgian dark strong ale casks, bottled at 51% cask strength. Is there any chance you could review them? How much of a bottle would you need me to send you? If there's a way of contacting you, let me know! Cheers !!!

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

For safety reasons, I only accept new sealed bottles especially from I do not know. I do not ask for bottles from producers.

[@sonicfreak9473]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies That makes sense! How can I send you a whole bottle then?

[@mbmurphy777]

Have you tried the total wine ilay gold?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

My review is coming up soon!

[@mbmurphy777]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies There’s another blended one called smoky Joe

[@WhskAZCL]

@@mbmurphy777 @Erik and Finlaggan from Trader Joe's. So far that's my favorite budget Islay

[@jeffmohr696]

@@WhskAZCL In Nebraska Trader Joe's has Islay Storm for $23. I like it but quality varies by batch.

[@nomansvan827]

thank you, unfortunately WA state charges you a spirit tax then add a 20.50 % sales tax to the purchase. Robbery I don't buy here anymore unless from a military base.

[@rollotomassi7437]

The best food with any Scotch is Fig Newton.... Absolutely sublime.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I'll have to try that!

[@rollotomassi7437]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies let me know what you think.... I don’t know what it is but I like as much as when I have chocolate with red wine.