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.
Celebrating St Patrick’s Day in the defiant spirit of Slane Irish Whiskey Slane Irish Whiskey is taking its signature Triple Casked blend across the Irish Sea this St Patrick’s day to share […]
Highland Park teams up with David Coulthard to launch special edition whiskies Formula 1 star, David Coulthard has partnered with Highland Park single malt Scotch to create two special edition whiskies, including […]
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 COCKTAILS: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO BE THE WORLD’S BEST BARTENDER Tokyo…New Orleans…Amsterdam…London…just some of the incredible cities the recently crowned world’s best bartender, Orlando Marzo, […]
Balcones Distilling launches new Texas Pot Still Bourbon Acclaimed Texas distiller launches its first year-round Straight Bourbon Whisky WACO, TEXAS: Balcones Distilling has today announced the launch of its Texas Pot Still Bourbon […]
Unique opportunity to stay on-site at the Glenfiddich distillery in the ‘malt whisky capital of the world’, for an in-depth understanding of the world of Scotch whisky. An experience only previously available […]
Lagavulin 8 Years Old 200th Anniversary Limited Edition whisky review: It has taken me some time to finally get on board with this expression. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed but whenever I sat to formulate some notes I seem to get stuck after the nose and hard to ascribe anything in particular. Perhaps sampling this side-by-side with the 9yo GOT edition really highlighted the differences. There is a freshness in here quite unlike anything else I have sampled from Lagavulin, perhaps it is New Make (I have some somewhere to test this theory) or I am more inclined to think it is the result of underactive (3rd/4th fill casks)? 85/100
House Lannister Lagavulin 9 Years Old whisky review: Much more of a classic Lagavulin than I found the 8 Year Old anniversary edition. Sweet and meaty with a dusty smoke, a nice bitterness to it that presents as chocolate. I suspect the colour is e150 – confirmed by the packaging. Compared to the 8 Year Old I suspect a few more refill barrels or older barrels have gone into this mix to shift the flavour-profile in a very positive way more towards the distillery character. Quite moreish. I like this a lot more than I like Lannister’s – except Tyrion – I like this just as much as Tyrion. 86/100
Wemyss Malts launches new website and Cask Club with an exclusive 35 year old Caol Ila Family whisky makers Wemyss Malts have relaunched wemyssmalts.com, a brand new website offering whisky fans […]
Clynelish Distillery Exclusive Bottling whisky review: From the colour and flavours present I suspect a healthy amount of refill ex-bourbon casks went into this vatting, surprisingly it really doesn’t feel that youthful and could easily pass a comparison with the 14 year old. A little less waxy than I am used to from Clynelish, or perhaps it is the absence of flavours carried within it. A suspect this is a bit of Clynelish purists whisky and I am maybe under-appreciating it. Flawless but not really ticking my boxes regards flavour profile. 85/100
House Tyrell Clynelish Reserve whisky review: Plenty of classic Clynelish notes in here, just delivered a little to spirity for me. This one hugely benefits from a good sploosh of water to reveal some softer vanilla notes. Waxy and spiced but a great alternative to Clynelish’s 14 Year Old standard expression. 84/100
