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.
ROYAL SALUTE RELEASES FIRST EVER BLENDED GRAIN SCOTCH Limited 21 Year Old Snow Polo Edition is the first of its kind for Royal Salute [NOVEMBER 2019] ‘The King of Whisky’ Royal Salute […]
Coming to The Whisky Exchange this Black Friday…
Master of Malt Black Friday tasting set deals If like me you like to sample around the world of barrel-aged spirits then these Black Friday tasting set deals represent great value and […]
Nectar Grove Batch Strength Batch No. 001 whisky review: A rich and syrupy sweet expression, unfortunately I haven’t tried the standard version to compare or make comment on the increased ABV presentation here in the batch strength. Very drinkable without water and reminiscent of other Madeira cask finished whiskies with lots of stone fruit influence. 82/100
Flaming Feast blended malt whisky review: A great smoked and maritime blend, complex and shifting much like the smoke rising from a beach bonfire. 85/100
Blooming Gorse blended malt whisky review: A creamy and sweet blended malt with plenty of coconut influence as the name suggests. This borders on becoming soapy on occasion due to the florality but has a touch of citrus zest and plenty of sweet vanilla to keep it enjoyable. 83/100
Method and Madness Acacia Wood whisky review: Sweet and nutty, less spicy than the cherry wood edition, but still quite thin bodied, definitely my preferred one of the two – I’d love to see and try more acacia wood matured whisky/whiskey. 82/100
Method and Madness Wild Cherry Wood whisky review: Unusually woody but thin, a little sappy and pine-like rather than oak wood. Spirit and sappy with fresh pepper and ginger. 81/100
A Fine Christmas Malt 2019 whisky review: Hard to fault Billy’s tasting notes which describe this one perfectly. This whisky is full of fairground or sweetie shop or possibly even Christmas market flavours such as classic donuts, nut brittle and barley sugars. I was hoping perhaps for a wee bit more sherry influence to tip it into Christmas cake or pudding territory but this is a fine quaffable malt all the same. 84/100
Auchentoshan Sauvignon Blanc Finish Whisky Review: I haven’t been a huge fan of Auchentoshan for a while, or rather I haven’t had an OB expression that I could really say I liked or enjoyed from their older range. Admittedly I haven’t tried an awful lot of their new standard range. This one however is very different from their older expressions at least. Hugely drinkable and smooth but not light in character by any means. The Sauvignon Blanc cask influence is very complementary to Auchentoshan’s spirit character here and really adds much more sweetness, fruit and florality. Perfectly drinkable at room temperature, however that sweetness would probably last if this one was chilled slightly also. 83/100
