New (to me) Islay malts

[jsf]

hello,

i recently found 2 relatively cheap islay malts that i hadn't seen before or read about: mcclelland's islay and lochindaal. i'm curious about these, as they don't come from any of the standard (to me) islay distilleries.

ideas?

thanks ...

[Spirit of Islay]

Hi jsf ,
Don't know about the McClellands , havn't had it but the Lochindaal is an old style Bruichladdich .
Its a lightly peated whisky ok if you like the old style but apart from the stillmans dram i prefer the new Laddies .
Slainté
Gordon

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[Stephen]

McClelland's Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a kind of Islay Single Malt bottled by MorrisonBowmore,but it doesn't show which distillery.

http://www.morrisonbowmore.co.uk/frame_home01.html

[WestVanDave]

I believe Morrison Bowmore is drawing from their stable to create these entry level single malts...

Rumour has it that the McClelland's Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a young (~10 year old Bowmore). Their Highland is a GlenGarioch, their Lowland an Auchentoshan and their Speyside...???

I've been pleased with these as decent value - and as a distraction when the in-laws start reaching for my Ardbegs, Laddies and Lags - et al.

Cheers, Dave.

[jsf]

The McClelland's certainly tastes like a young Bowmore (and boy does it come cheap -- a good value indeed).

And a follow-up question: What's the distinction between old-style and new-style Bruichladdichs?

Thanks

[WestVanDave]

Hi jsf - regarding your follow-up question: What's the distinction between old-style and new-style Bruichladdichs?

I believe there have been some discussions on this already - but to summarize my understanding: The "old" Bruichladdich is from production under previous ownership - the time before that distillery was bought and shuttered by the Jim Beam Co.

Recently (I believe 2000 or so) Mark Reynier (a third generation wine merchant and a man with a passion for Bruichladdich discovered after he won a bottle) got together with some friends and bought the distillery - after 10 years of making offers to the Jim Beam Co. Jim McEwen (formerly with Bowmore and one of the most respected master distillers) joined the Bruichladdich team... Mark can tell the story beautifully (and it can bring tears to your eyes) of how they made the deal happen. The Bruichladdich website is a great source for this. They also do a great job of telling their story and conveying their passion for a true non-chill filtered - no caramel scotch whisky. The distillery had plenty of inventory in casks - but to your question - the distinction would likely come from the "new" Bruichladdich being those bottled under the watchful eye (and nose) of Jim McEwen and his team (Mark Reynier et al).

'Hope this answers your question... Cheers, Dave.