Smokehead Original

If you’re of the opinion that Scotch is a tipple for the refined and genteel, then you haven’t been introduced to Smokehead. The heavy metal-themed brand, which encourages its drinkers to “smoke tradition,” is produced by Ian Macleod Distillers, makers of more polite single malts like Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Rosebank. But unlike those dignified brands with their age-statements and well-disclosed sources, Smokehead’s origins are something of a mystery clouded in, well, smoke. Smokehead came along in 2006, at a time the industry was looking to capitalise on renewed interest in the spirits category. Though its origins remain shrouded in mystery, the liquid is rumoured to come from a certain southern-Islay distillery that stands approximately 3 miles from Port Ellen on the Kildalton coast. Whilst this spirit rarely appears in anything other than official distillery bottlings, Ian MacLeod’s history as a whisky broker could mean they have long-term deals in place that would facilitate just such a thing.