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 English Small batch Release Rum Cask Matured whisky review: Quite sweet on the nose, gets a little woodier with more brown sugars on the palate. A very nice Rum cask matured expression that keeps plenty of distillery character. 84/100
The English Smokey Single Malt Whisky Whisky Review: A superb smokey dram full of buttery cereal barley and that distinct fruit spirit character tempered with masses of Vanilla from Bourbon barrel maturation. The result is a reminiscent of childhood summers so hot that the tarmac melted and so did your ice-cream – but then you could pop the tar bubbles with your lolly stick! 86/100
Chauffe Coeur Reserve VSOP Calvados Calvados Review: Deliciously tart fruit and spicy oak wood, becomes chocolatey, a great aperitif as it is light in both body and palate. 86/100
Comte Louis de Lauriston VSOP Calvados Domfrontais Calvados Review: Very well structured, quite slick with great texture but a little ethereal in terms of distinct flavours – a really great blend with a perfect balance of fruit and wood. 85/100
Glenury Royal 1976 Connoisseurs Choice (Bottled 1998) Whisky Review: Hard to put into perspective, perhaps a slightly disappointing dream dram. Subtle in character and maturation but then that made these G&M classics so affordable. Still two big ticks off of my list in both distillery and vintage. A reminder that these pearls (rather than gems) can be found at sensible prices in many whisky bars. 84/100
The Scalasaig Island Hopper Maiden Voyage whisky review: A well constructed blend I’m assuming from all island Malts? Good balance of peat & sherry – not too sweet almost classical ‘Highland’ style in fact. Well done 83/100
SMWS 10.118 Enthralling pink and peat intensity Whisky Review: A lovely mixture of sweet port influence and smoke. I was worried the palate at cask strength may have been a little overpowering but actually the sweet and peat aren’t too much. A nice earthy/turfy influence grounds this whole whisky while gentle spices fizz in the background. A pleasant surprise, a wonderful nose sets the standard for a great dram throughout. 87/100
Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair Whisky Review: When I originally opened this I think I found it quite youthful/spirity and a little over-spiced, however after some time in the bottle and allowed to breathe a little I have come away with a much greater appreciation of this whisky. It is in fact very well constructed with a great mix of oily, buttery caramel and rich spice, fruit and nut sherry influence. It really is a classic Bunnahabhain with that wonderful spirit character you either love (like me) or hate. 84/100
The English Original Single Malt Whisky Whisky Review: A rather accomplished expression, perhaps a touch woody in places but balanced by that lovely fruity spirit character which has started to become tropical as well as sweet on the palate. Masses of vanilla ice-cream make this a real dessert-style whisky. Very enjoyable. 83/100
ARDBEG WEE BEASTIE – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST SMOKY WHISKY IS WREAKING FLAVOUR IN ITS PATH From April of this year, whisky lovers around the world will get the chance to experience the […]
