Islay Gold 25 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

In this video Erik Wait reviews the Islay Gold 25 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
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THIS VIDEO IS INTENDED ONLY FOR VIEWERS WHO ARE OF LEGAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE DRINKING AGE IN THEIR COUNTRY.

[@nixondutes3550]

Awsome review!! Thank you Erik🥃

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaela.7544]

Great review sir! Just had a question, what would it say “blended and bottled in Scotland“ in fine prints, even though it reads Single Malt on the bottle. Thanks a bunch!

[@AlexDraut]

Drinking some right now. I'd almost recommend it to beginners for how gentle the peat is, if it were cheaper. It's not bad at all, but I prefer something with more punch. Especially over $100. Related to your reviews, I'd absolutely be buying more Smokehead Sherry Bomb over this.

[@JerrysJets]

What would you recommend as an alternative 25-year aged whiskey? This is the cheapest I could find aged 25 years. Most go for $200 plus. Excellent review by the way! Superb.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Most 25-year aged whiskies are going to be $$$$$$$$ so I don't drink many of them.

[@mbmurphy777]

What do you think about the Isley Gold 10?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Sorry, I've not tired it and probably won't if it is at 40% ABV.

[@mbmurphy777]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies It is a little watery

[@Brandon-bm6he]

Great points with the distiller guess. I can’t pin it either but I can easily scratch off what it isn’t, I think you’re right on

[@stabthedragonproductions6649]

This review solved a mystery for me. I have a bottle of Islay Gold basic I bought for about $30 at Total Wine last year. I liked it a lot, but I could not find out where on the Isle of Islay it came from! That was frustrating! So to see a whiskey pro like you have the same issue yet come up with an educated guess...outstanding!

[@djkamy]

Great review as always, however I think you sort of contradict yourself here. It's a 90 rated scotch that you do not recommend? How does that make sense ....?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Yep, as I stated in the video the whisky is contradictory. The over all score is comprised of aroma/flavor profile, structure, and length of finish. It scored well in aroma/flavor and length of finish but failed in structure due to low ABV. If it had a higher ABV it would have been 93-95+ points and if it was cheaper I would recommend it.

[@IC86]

Thanks for the review. It’s interesting they’re not naming who they are.

[@newsnowadirondacksredux360]

Graham cracker, spice, dry autumn leaves and dry fruit….. I’ve never smelled such things.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

Thanks for this review Erik, I've been curious about this bottle for a while. At 25 yo, I'd suspect most heavily peated malts will have lost their punch. I can totally understand what you're saying about the lost opportunity with this bottle being bottled at minimum strength. Even if they had to jack the price up $10-20, it would still be a bargain for a 25yo. The NAS Islay Gold Lorcan was a 46%, and pretty good for about $35 if I recall. Total Wine and More also have a bottom shelf 40% NAS Sheildaig Islay Single Malt for like $20 which might make for an interesting review. Happy New Year!

[@jeffp565]

Maybe we got a different batch… mine immediately has notes of iodine and peat on the nose

[@jackthepickledhound]

Do people really buy this? I'm so confused ...if I had $125 burning a whole in my pocket and ignorance put me at the mercy of the stock boy at total wine for a recommendation, then I suppose I get what I deserve

[@ItalNico]

Sad but true. Whenever I'm shopping at TW I avoid and ignore the clerks...but when I see people (especially well dressed folks) asking for recommendations it's like watching sharks circling their prey.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I think some people see the age statement and pull the trigger without noticing the 40% ABV,

[@bdp59]

Disagree. This is Laphroaig 25. Look at the traditional green bottle. Coinky dink? I think not. And not smoky?? Disagree some more.

[@Tato2k]

Hi Erik. I've been looking that Ian Macleod Distillers produce this whisky. Its correct? I was lucky to taste the Islay Gold 25yrs and I really liked it. Please, could you recommend me some better quality smoked whiskeys for the same price or close to 130 dollars? I finished the bottle and I prefer taste a new one, more if is its better. Thanks a lot!

[@eviltrain24]

Thanks for mentioning the loudness and thinness. apart from taste, these aspects have started to matter more and more for me. For me, that's just too bad that they bottled this is 40%. EDIT: thinking about it, this is probably being marketed as an age statement whisky for the casual consumer who wants to buy into an aged whisky as cheaply as possible. A lot of what I really enjoyed as a new drinker feels thin or lacking now.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Yep, they seeming to be marking on the age statement and hope people don't notice the ABV level at only 40%.

[@xiamengbaby]

With my palate, I'd rather spend the money on a younger high abv malt. Those 40 percenters are like a tease to me. I require a flavor punch in the mouth.

[@craigcoe5332]

Too bad it wasn't similar to Ardbeg 20 something or 25 year old. Then it would be a contender.

[@jackthepickledhound]

If it was bottled at 46% it would be a contender. Right now it's a contender for best $65 whisky at double the price.

[@michaelhassler7446]

I've always felt the Islay Gold products were comparable to younger big name whiskies. The 25 year old would compare more favorable to 10 year old other Islay whiskies. Their 10 year old would compare more favorable to some NAS whiskies.

[@skeletonmakesgood]

Nothing contradictory at all Erik. Outstanding review here! A score should never be hinged to the price. Very well done as always! Slainte!

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Glad you enjoyed it!