About me? I am a Whisky Educator, Travel-Tourist and Blogger. I blog tasting notes about (mostly Scotch) beer and whisky at The Whiskyphiles. I keep progress of my travels via the Alfred Barnard Society. Based in Livingston, Scotland I do most of my dramming at the University of Edinburgh Water of Life Society and Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
Bruichladdich Distillery purchase Shore House Croft In the world of fine wine, terroir is a concept that reflects the interaction between soil, exposure, orientation and climate on the growth of the vine […]
Williamson 6 Years Old 2011 Cask #130 whisky review: Probably would have been my dram of the night if the Cask Islay (Caol Ila?) hadn’t been so darned good! A lot earthier in its peat this one and some substantial cask influence despite the use of a bigger vessel (butt) over a relatively short period. Perhaps if left a few more years this one could have been truly amazing? 87/100
Independent family distiller, William Grant & Sons, announces the launch of a new 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky, Aerstone. The brand focusses on the impact of maturation and malting on flavour […]
Cù Bòcan has added two more limited edition single malts to the range with the launch of 2003 and 1990 vintage releases. The 2003 vintage limited edition Cù Bòcan (aged 15 years […]
Limestone Branch Distillery introduces the 2018 variety of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the third and final barrel finishing experiment by Limestone Branch Distillery, set to hit the market in October. This […]
Glenmorangie Original goes Beyond the Cask in a creative partnership born from the love of wood In the latest of its Beyond the Cask creative collaborations, Glenmorangie takes to the waves in […]
BenRiach, the unconventional Speyside distillery, has reintroduced a gold award winning expression to its core range. BenRiach Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years showcases the distillery’s reputation for creative, multi-faceted maturation. Made using […]
Cask Islay single malt scotch whisky review: A delicious Islay expression which at first nose suggested Caol Ila distillery, later a hint of gun oil had my mind drifting towards Lagavulin but the beauty of these is we don’t really know where it came from (or if each release hails from the same place). The best thing to do is not care and just enjoy this for what it is – a really great peated Islay expression, powerfully evocative phenols paired with sweet vanilla from ex-Bourbon casks. 89/100
Cask Orkney 18 Years Old whisky review: I have to agree that this fits the profile of for example Highland Park’s Freya expression (also Bourbon cask matured). Full of heathery and lightly floral peat influence and that slightly salty and very malty distillate the Kirkwall distillery is rather famous for. 86/100
Bruichladdich 32 Years Old 1984 Rare Cask Series Bourbon: All In whisky review: Slightly reminiscent of Calvados with both fresh and baked apple flavours paired with old oak wood in a perfect combination. Slightly drying and spicy on the palate with ginger prominent but also a big dollop of vanilla cream and lots of mature tropical fruits. 92/100
