Scarabus Islay Single Malt

Another no-age-statement Islay single malt from an undisclosed distillery, this time brought to you by Hunter Laing. Bottling like these, bearing neither an age nor a distillery seem to almost make up the bulk of whisky leaving Islay these days.
//I think the label is rather nice. Our camera did not... apologies for the weird exposure, I was mostly able to fix it. Just imagine my weird purple eyes are some sort of cross promotion with the Dune movie.

[@SauliJP]

Thanks for the review boys! I've had 2 bottles of Scarabus this year, which indicates that I do like this, good price-quality ratio. Solid stuff, not amazing but solid. I also have the batch strength bottling waiting on the shelf, unopened for now.

[@howardfoster4393]

Thanks for another enjoyable review guys. I’ve been looking at purchasing bottle of this. Here’s the weird thing….on the Master of Malt site the Scarabus 10 year old and the Scarabus NAS are both sold out but the 10 year old is priced cheaper here in the UK….only by £1 but still strange 🤔

[@darienbragg4826]

Funny you should mention the age statement, they released a ten year old Scarabus shortly after the hype from this one died down

[@williambyington4864]

Good review, I am about finished with my second bottle of Scarabus and plan on buying another soon. I just found your review site and will be watching more.

[@psnaris]

Some distilleries charge indie bottlers an arm and a leg for the use of their name.

[@ianholmes6078]

I really enjoy the Hunter Laing line, but haven't tried them s one yet. It is a damn shame that people have decided to use whisky as an investment instead of something to drink and share. Glad you guys are calling it out!

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Sounded really good. Almost every review seems to enjoy this, so I think I better hunt one done. Cheers!

[@martinbeen]

Thanx guys for the review, this one is on my radar, right now i can get a 1L bottle for 40 Euro.

[@TheSingleMaltReview]

Had no idea this was even bottled by the litre, but I'll bet that's the way to go price wise if you can get it.

[@mikebennett3741]

I have added a “Presumed Caol Ila” subsection to the Islay section of my shelves.

[@mikebennett3741]

Just picked up a bottle recently when they were offering a taste at a Total Wine and More. Happily opening it tonight to enjoy with you fellers.

[@TheSingleMaltReview]

Prudent

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I like this bottle, but I haven't seen it for a very long time. Caol Ila is the obvious choice given it's production capacity.

[@stevelandwonder4760]

In the UK at least there is also a "Batch Strength" version at 57% and approx. £42.

[@TheSingleMaltReview]

I'd say that's probably the one to go for. The batch (or cask) strength versions of these jobbies almost always turn out to be far and away better than the standard.

[@Faz_60hurts]

@@TheSingleMaltReview I have the Batch Strength. It tastes like Caol ila that has been aged in barrels from one of the other Islay distilleries. Can't quite put my finger on it. I also have Port Askaig 100 proof (57% ABV) which is equally young and seems more of a clear-cut Caol ila compared to the Scarabus.

[@jackthepickledhound]

It's 6:00 somewhere, so you're good to drink where you are. I thought this had a slight bitter, quite off-putting note in the finish. I assume that these mystery Islays are from Caol Ila. A named distillery would add to the value of an Indie. We have a 50% ABV Islay single malt from Costco which has a better finish.

[@TheSingleMaltReview]

I wish our supermarkets were allowed to sell whisky :(

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@TheSingleMaltReview Costco has a relationship with Alexander Murray. There's no information on the label but their house Kirkland Brand is usually a safe bet, if you're into a smooooooth dram. They've rounded off all sorts of world whiskeys. Some even come in 1.75l bottles. My wife likes the champagne, and so does my wallet. So this Scarabus fits into what catagory? Indie NAS regional secret Single Malt?

[@willemkilian9563]

I'm thinking that not putting the distillery names on bottles like these keep the prices down, which is good for us! Too bad this one isn't age stated though.

[@TheSingleMaltReview]

That's exactly right. When distillery names become brands then even those words carry a cost.

[@bekemdangiu]

May I ask what is the glass you are using?

[@TheSingleMaltReview]

Those are Profi Tasting glasses from Spiegelau. More or less just XL5 tasting glasses.

[@bekemdangiu]

@@TheSingleMaltReview thank you