Aldi’s Glen Marnoch is a bit of an odd one. The standard bottle is quite good but not they have three ‘limited release’ Glen Marnochs too. An Islay, a Highland and a Speyside.
That’s not how whisky works. The name derives from where it is made and you don’t see one brand claiming all three sources. Well, not until now.
I suspect they are doing what the supermarket own-brands do. Buying malt whiskies that are not quite up to the distiller’s high standards and putting them in their own bottles. Anyway, it’s only a couple of quid extra to try these limited editions. I bought the Islay.
It does indeed have the peatiness but not too strong. I’d say it resembles Ledaig but the taste is somehow a bit thin. Still perfectly palatable but not as full-bodied as a true single malt should be.
It’s 40% alcohol so it’s not simply a diluted whisky. It’s most likely from rejected barrels that didn’t develop the full flavour of the original and were sold off to the discount whisky market.
For the price though (£18) it’s an Islay single malt for sure, very pleasant indeed. Not up to the standard of a true branded malt but a long way off the price of one. I’d buy it again.
It’s good to have a single malt available under £20 these days. I’ll have to try the others.
underdogs bite upwards 
Off topic:
Comments are closed at “For whom de bells jingle”, but here you have the translation into Spanish: http://elatrildelorador.blogspot.com.es/2015/02/por-quien-repican-las-campanillas.html
Thanks.
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Thanks – and just in time for tonight’s blog post.
Comments close on old posts, otherwise spammers just fill them up, hoping nobody will notice.
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Bought a bottle of Glen Marnoch Islay single malt and a bottle of Asda Extra Special Islay last week. I like both, just can’t tell them apart except the Asda one is £4 more expensive.
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Tried all 3, the Islay, the Highland and the Speyside. At £17.99 at is there to moan about ? OK, not as nice as the 15yo Glenfiddich Solera my mate brought round last week but still phenomenal for the price.
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I’m on my fourth bottle of the islay edition as I’m an Islay whisky fan and for the price this is amazing. I’ve just bought a Highland one but still haven’t tried it yet but hopefully looking forward to it.
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Ive had four bottles of the Islam edition and it’s consistently delicious. Just bought a Highland one but not tried it yet but looking forward to it if it’s the same high standard
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I know you mean Islay but ‘the Islam edition’ cracked me up 🙂
For the price, they are exceptional. Well worth a taste.
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I picked up a bottle of the Highland and it is, in my view, very good – particularly given the low price. Will pick up an Islay version next.
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Is the “Islam Edition” cut to 0% alc/vol.?
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It is very plain and I actually think it would taste bad without the caramel added! That said it has the basic characteristics of an islay with none of the fine touches. Nose: smoke, ash. Palate: peat smoke, salt, medicinal. Finish: suprisingly long and not unpleasant. I would hazard at reject Laphroiag?
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Could well be a reject Laphroaig. It has that sense to it, but diluted.
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The Glen Marnoch Islay is fast becoming my whisky of choice. its not upto the standard of a Laphroaig or Bowmore but at almost half the price its a no-brainer.
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I’m drinking it right now – it is really nice, hits all the Islay notes, and an absolute bargain. No, I have nothing to do with Aldi! 🙂 P.S. Can’t wait to try the Islam Malt!
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