Latest whisky news
Lochlea Distillery to launch first peated whisky, Lochlea ‘Ploughing Edition’ (First Crop)
The team at Lochlea Distillery are delighted to reveal their fourth limited seasonal release, Lochlea ‘Ploughing Edition’. Launching on the 25th January 2023, it concludes the ‘First Crop’ of annual small batch bottlings showcasing their spirit throughout the farming seasons.
Tamdhu unveils Quercus Alba Distinction II – celebrating the influence of American oak sherry cask maturation
Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the arrival of the second bottling in its Quercus Alba Distinction series.
BENRIACH THE SIXTEEN RETURNS
Creative Speyside distillery, Benriach, has unveiled the ‘missing piece’ of its flavour-forward portfolio of Single Malts with the return of Benriach The Sixteen.
Latest Scotch whisky reviews
Balvenie 12 Years Old Doublewood
Smooth and honeyed, a very well put together expression from The Balvenie. I feel I picked out more of the sherry component more clearly possibly due to age or experience or perhaps this batch the sherry influence is more defined. A real pleasure to revisit and simply enjoy. 84/100
Nc’nean Quiet Rebels Annabel
Fairly well structured, displays some youthful spirit as you would expect for 3-4 year old whisky. There was more than a hint of cardboard I associate with STR casks added to the woody element here. This has clearly been well put together from the cask selection to final product. I’d be interested to see how…
Lindores MCDXCIV
Pleasant with some presence of distillery character and plenty of oak wood influence. The cask variety adds to a multitude of flavours and aromas also. 82/100
Latest US whiskey reviews
Rebel 10 Years Old Single Barrel Bourbon
At 10 years old and 50% ABV / 100 proof this is a robust Bourbon offering from Rebel, sweet and cereal spirit from the Wheated mashbill is infused with plenty of wood influences, produced in batches which may vary but will retain this essential nature I suspect. 84/100
Yellowstone Select
An easygoing Bourbon with plenty of expected sweetness and some rather herbal spice notes keeps this one interesting and entertaining. 84/100
Westland Garryana 2020
Complex with plenty of wood influence but also fruity, spicy and chocolate notes abound. Lifted by presentation at 50% ABV this has much more depth and presence than the heritage collection. 86/100
Latest Irish whiskey reviews
Irish Single Malt #2 15 Years Old Batch 6
Sweet and clean, creamy and with plenty of fruit suggestive of mostly spirit and ex-Bourbon maturation keeping things fairly straightforward and enjoyingly simple. A touch odd in the finish – perhaps indicative of the distillate source? 85/100
Irish Single Malt #1 13 Years Old Batch 2
Irish Single Malt #1 13 Years Old Batch 2 Whisky Review: A very fresh and fruity 13 year old expression / batch. Full of apples and oak and very drinkable for it. 84/100
Irish Single Malt #3 13 Years Old Batch 3
Irish Single Malt 13 Years Old Batch #3 whisky review: Plenty of body, packed full of fresh fruit and cereals, just a touch to sour and oaky on the finish for me. Quite a summery dram. 83/100
Latest World whisky reviews
Shirakawa 1958
A truly delicious combination of tropical fruit, nuts and exotic oak wood influence full of earthy and woody spices and chocolate. It is hard to compare this unique piece of liquid history other than to say it is on par with some of the oldest Scotch single malts invariably derived from Speyside thanks to their…
Kyrö 4 Year Old Batch 1
A spicy rye expression with some really wild flavours but quite enjoyable once it relaxes in the glass a little. 83/100
Slyrs 3 Years Old Batch 3
Quite oaky and tannic a touch like sherry or a good red wine, plenty of woody sugars and quite fragrant too. 85/100
Latest other spirits reviews
Banditti Club Rum
Despite the initial hit on the nose this is a pretty solid spiced rum and though I didn’t try it I can imagine this mixes well also. Plenty of festive spices to be found. 80/100
Domaine d’Aurensan 20 Ans
Woody but so drinkable, I hadn’t appreciated when sampling this that it wasn’t all 20 years old! Some soft floral notes but this is mostly wood and dried herbs and fruits with a generous nutty and chocolate component too, superb! 86/100
The Whiskyphiles 