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.
The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 Whisky Review: A definite move in the right direction in this series, delivered at a more approachable ABV. This has a super nose but sadly it is not totally backed up on the palate. Perhaps an indication of the Lakes young spirit, given time (maturation) perhaps this inbalance will be redressed? 85/100
Aerolite Lyndsay 10 Years Old whisky review: A fairly complex construction leave classic Islay peat and maritime influence and me guessing at distillery character, I guess the point here is to focus on some of the great characteristics of Islay whisky that can make a powerful yet extremely drinkable dram and present them with age-statement and at wallet-friendly prices, well done TCoIWC. 85/100
Longrow 15 Years Old 2001 Whisky Review: A touch oily and closed and quite creamy in texture. Straight forward sherry and peat but with further sampling what at first seems simple is really quite accomplished, a single cask that is on par with a married standard expression. 89/100
Longrow 12 Years Old 2002 Sherry Cask Whisky Review: A hint of rubber at first but this quickly dissipates leaving a sweet and oily combination of sherry and peat smoke which is really quite lovely. 88/100
Longrow Red 11 Years Old Cabernet Franc Whisky Review: Sadly not heavily red wine influenced, a competent expression whose fruitiness struggles to compete with the peaty and spicy nature, much preferred the Gaja Barolo. 84/100
Longrow 7 Years Old 2000 Gaja Barolo whisky review: A superb expression, perhaps a touch spirity/alcoholic which belies its youth but a complete absence of spice means this mixture of smoke and red fruits is an absolute winner for me. 89/100
Foursquare Hereditas 14 Years Old Rum Review: A sweet easy drinking rum that takes water well. 85/100
Glenburgie 21 Years Old Black Friday 2019 Edition Whisky Review: OK, better at cask strength though tinny. Good tropicality showing age in fruit but feels like quite an underactive cask and a bit of an odd choice. With water becomes sharper, more limey and spicy with cinnamon. 85/100
Linkwood 18 Years Old 1997 Old Malt Cask Whisky Review: Still fairly basic with much spirit lead flavour akin to the 10 year old, some deeper flavours in here thanks to longer maturation but I’m still not loving this one. 82/100
Linkwood 10 Years Old Batch 7 Whisky Review: Very lemony with an odd salinity and minerality. Under-active casks? Sour spicy and spirity, not for me. 77/100
