Introduction
Today, we’re diving into another blended malt from Mossburn, specifically their Island blend. Following our review of Mossburn’s Speyside blend, we’re excited to see how their Island blend holds up. Mossburn Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a mix of whiskies sourced from Islay and other Scottish islands, bringing together the characteristics of various distilleries. This blend is bottled at 92 proof and retails for around $40, making it an affordable option for Scotch lovers. Let’s get into the review and see how this blended malt performs.
This review is taken from our episode "Ikiru / Mossburn Island Blended Scotch." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: The nose is delicate, with honeycomb, rose petal, and barley coming through for me. The peat isn’t overwhelming, which I appreciate. It’s subtle but definitely present. I’m really enjoying the balance of the aromas here, and I give it a 7.5/10.
Bob: I’m with you on the subtlety, but I think the peat is the standout note for me. It’s not super heavy, but I’m picking up a briny, almost olive-like character alongside the peat. There’s not much in the way of sweetness or floral notes for me, just peat and a saline quality. It’s solid but not spectacular, so I’m giving it a 7/10.
Taste
Brad: The palate continues the theme of subtlety with floral notes like rose sticking around. I’m also getting a touch of pear and some grassiness. The peat really comes through on the back end of the palate, which I liked. Overall, it’s a solid, pleasant scotch. I’d rate it a 7/10.
Bob: The first sip hit me harder than I expected. There’s a strong herbal bitterness on the back of the palate before the peat takes over. The front of the palate is really nice—light, floral, and a bit honeyed—but the back end feels like a drastic shift. It does mellow out eventually, but that initial hit is a bit much. I’ll give it a 7/10 as well.
Finish
Brad: The finish is where this whisky shines. The barley and peat really come together, and the pear from the palate lingers nicely. There’s a black pepper spice that rounds things out for me. I’m bumping the score up here to an 8/10.
Bob: I agree the finish is an improvement. It’s darker and more complex, with some black pepper and a bit of bitter dark cherry. It also has a nice breadiness to it that I wasn’t expecting. It’s a good balance of smoky and earthy flavors. I’ll give it a 7.5/10.
Balance
Brad: This whisky is balanced nicely overall, though nothing particularly stands out. It’s a well-rounded dram that brings together the subtle notes we’ve talked about. I’ll give it a 7.5/10.
Bob: I’m in the same boat. There’s nothing wrong here, but it’s not blowing me away either. It’s just a solid, balanced whisky. I’m also giving it a 7.5/10.
Value
Brad: For around $40, I think this is a pretty solid value. You’re getting a peated Scotch with decent flavor at an affordable price point. It’s not the most complex whisky, but it’s good for the price. I’d rate the value a 7/10.
Bob: I’m a bit more cautious here. At $40, it’s priced fairly for what it is, but I think there are better options in this range. It’s hard to find peated Scotches under $40, so it has that going for it. Still, I don’t think it’s exceptional. I’m giving it a 6/10.
Final Scores
Brad: My final score is a 37/50. This is a solid Scotch, and I’d recommend picking up a bottle, especially if you’re into peat but don’t want to break the bank.
Bob: I’m coming in at a 35/50. It’s right on the edge of a recommendation for me, but I think it’s more of a bottle for experimenting with cocktails than for sipping neat. It’s a decent Scotch, but I wouldn’t rush out to buy it.
Combined Score: 36/50
Conclusion
At Film & Whiskey, we generally start recommending whiskies around the 35/50 mark, so Mossburn Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky meets our threshold. It’s a solid, affordable option for those looking to explore peated Scotch without diving into the more expensive bottles. That said, it’s not a standout, and while Brad recommends picking up a bottle, Bob leans more toward using it as a cocktail mixer. If you enjoy peat and want a budget-friendly option, Mossburn Island is worth considering.
