Articles

  • kilchoman-6-year-old-2012-single-cask-release-cask-4052012-drinks-by-the-dram-whisky Kilchoman 6 Years Old 2012 Single Cask Release (56.9%, Drinks By The Dram, Wine Cask Finish #405/2012, 2018) (12/10/2018) - Kilchoman 2012 Wine Cask Finish whisky review: Another great example of smoky and sweet from Kilchoman, reminiscent of previous port cask releases this fruity red wine cask has certainly worked here. 90/100
  • dailuaine-4-years-old-2012-strictly-limited-carn-mor-whisky Dailuaine 4 Years Old 2012 Strictly Limited (46%, Carn Mor, Bourbon Barrels, 725 Bottles, 2017) (12/9/2018) - Dailuaine 4 Years Old 2012 Strictly Limited whisky review: Another ex-bourbon Dailuaine expression and this time young enough to reveal much more spirit character. Plenty of sulphur and vanilla combine to bestow a healthy dose of custard, hiding much of the unripe fruity characteristics still present in the spirit. 75/100
  • crabbie-8-year-old-whisky Crabbie 8 Years Old (46%, John Crabbie & Co., 2018) (12/8/2018) - Crabbie 8 Year Old whisky review: Quite a full palate on this one for only 8 years old. Certainly being delivered at 46% lends it some weight. Quite waxy which had me thinking of Clynelish. Zesty orange and apple with honey and a little too much spice for me, however if they aim to produce blends like this they'll certainly be entertaining and interesting. 83/100
  • Dream-whiskies Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 15.34.06 (1) Dream Whiskies launch Patreon membership (12/7/2018) - Dream Whiskies was launched back in July of 2017 by former world mixology champion Paul Martin. Paul was killing time eyeing a £30,000 bottle of Glenfiddich 50 year-old on display at World […]
  • Gordon & MacPhail awarded three ‘Master_ awards at prestigious Gordon & MacPhail awarded three ‘Master’ awards at prestigious Design & Packaging Masters 2018 (12/7/2018) - Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has been recognised for its premium portfolio of exclusive single malt whiskies at The Spirits Business 2018 Design & Packaging Masters, securing three ‘Master’ […]
  • Helen-Mulholland-Master-Blender-Bushmills-Irish-Whiskey Bushmills Irish Whiskey Master Blender becomes first woman inducted into prestigious Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame (12/7/2018) - BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY MASTER BLENDER BECOMES FIRST WOMAN INDUCTED INTO PRESTIGIOUS WHISKY MAGAZINE HALL OF FAME Helen Mulholland, Master Blender for Bushmills® Irish Whiskey, has been inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. […]
  • 1978 cask 2608 bottle & box Benromach unveils limited edition 1978 vintage (12/7/2018) - Benromach unveils limited edition 1978 vintage Only 184 bottles of 40-year old Speyside single cask available worldwide  The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd is releasing an extremely rare and limited-edition Scotch malt whisky […]
  • RoyalLochnagar_HRH_Whisky_BoxandBottle[1] HRH Prince Charles 30 Year Old Royal Lochnagar ballot announced to raise funds for The Prince’s Foundation (12/7/2018) - BALLOT ANNOUNCED FOR THE SALE OF HRH THE PRINCE CHARLES, DUKE OF ROTHESAY’S 30-YEAR-OLD ROYAL LOCHNAGAR SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY IN AID OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS’S CHARITY, THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION A ballot […]
  • Jameson Bow St Jameson Distillery Bow St. named World’s Leading Distillery Tour (12/7/2018) - Irish Distillers announced that Jameson Distillery Bow St. was named the World’s Leading Distillery Tour at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony in Lisbon on December 1st. The finalist list included Macallan, […]
  • fettercairn-12-year-old-whisky Fettercairn 12 Years Old (40%, OB, 2018) (12/7/2018) - Fettercairn 12 Years Old whisky review: Quite light and nondescript. 72/100
  • cc-glenlivet-2002 Glenlivet 15 Years Old 2002 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength (58.4%, Gordon & MacPhail, Bourbon Barrel #800772, 200 Bottles, 2018) (12/6/2018) - Glenlivet 2002 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength whisky review: An intense Glenlivet, masses of 1st fill bourbon influences up front but these gently peel away in layers revealing the fruity and grassy Glenlivet spirit character underneath. The whole experience is quite marvellous. It's a pleasant surprise to be reminded why Glenlivet has the reputation it does once in a while. 87/100
  • Tamdhu BatchS_Bottle_ONLY_003__2017_Release_58_3%+70cl_150dpi Tamdhu Batch Strength 3 (58.3%, OB, 2017) (12/6/2018) - Tamdhu Batch Strength 3 whisky review: Very sherried and a little spirity at points, this is full of dark chocolate and red fruits which combine wonderfully here. 85/100
  • cc_-clynelish-1989 Clynelish 28 Years Old 1989 Connoisseurs Choice (49.3%, Gordon & MacPhail, Refill HH #8204, 221 Bottles, 2018) (12/5/2018) - Clynelish 1989 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength whisky review: A rather old and slightly unusual Clynelish expression bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. It has a touch of that famous waxy nature and oodles of tropical fruit as you would expect from a whisky of this age. A lovely creamy mouthfeel and plenty of toffee on the palate too. A touch sour in the finish and slightly woody and herbal, perhaps slightly under-active this refill cask - still a very solid whisky and hard not to like even with its minor off-notes. 84/100
  • Dailuaine-15-Year-Old-Batch-2-(That-Boutique-y-Whisky-Company) Dailuaine 15 Years Old Batch 2 (47.5%, That Boutique-Y Whisky Company, 950 Bottles, 2018) (12/5/2018) - Dailuaine 15 Years Old Batch 2 (That Boutique-Y Whisky Company) whisky review: Pleasing and fairly full in the palate, almost a meal in a glass - if that meal is pancakes for breakfast. A great example of a Dailuaine with very little sherry influence, I suspect refill ex-bourbon barrels here, presenting something a little different from more standard or official offerings. 86/100
  • pulteney-19-year-old-1998-cask-18-049-connoisseurs-choice-gordon-and-macphail-whisky Pulteney 19 Years Old 1998 Connoisseurs Choice (57.5%, Gordon & MacPhail, Bourbon Barrel #1071, 192 Bottles, 2018) (12/4/2018) - Pulteney 1998 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength whisky review: This single ex-bourbon barrel matured Pulteney expression reveals some interesting facets including Pulteney's delicious coastal salt influence and in this example quite a savoury lemon & thyme mixture. 87/100
  • aberfeldy-1993-connoisseurs-choice Aberfeldy 25 Years Old 1993 Connoisseurs Choice (58.8%, Gordon & MacPhail, Sherry Puncheon #4054, 444 Bottles, 2018) (12/3/2018) - Aberfeldy 1993 Connoisseurs Choice whisky review: A beautifully sherried Aberfeldy, dry and leathery with plenty of dark fruits and chocolate, with water this opens up a lot more and just gets better. 88/100
  • Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery Gordon & MacPhail unveils new ultra-rare single malts from its Private Collection range (12/3/2018) - The latest releases include the oldest Caol Ila whisky ever bottled Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has released two stunning new additions to its ‘Private Collection’ range: a 64-Years-Old single malt […]
  • Benromach_Distillery Benromach sprinkles a little Christmas magic with social media advent calendar (12/3/2018) - Benromach whisky lovers can look forward to a little Christmas magic this year as the Forres distillery gets ready to launch its own online advent calendar as it counts down to the […]
  • 2018 Single Malt w Box Eden Mill unveil new single malt whisky for St Andrews Day (12/3/2018) - EDEN MILL UNVEIL NEW SINGLE MALT WHISKY FOR ST ANDREWS DAY Eden Mill, the popular Scottish gin and whisky distiller, has today (Friday 30th November) announced the release of its new 2018 Single Malt […]
  • Cotswold Distilling Company_MG_8952 (Large) Whisky Blog Rankings December 2018 (12/3/2018) - Whisky Blog Rankings December 2018 Ranked by Alexa rank / traffic estimates Following numerous queries over the last few months about how this list is generated and these sites are ranked, at the […]
  • new-whisky-releases New Whisky Releases: Week 48 2018 (12/2/2018) - New Whisky Releases: Week 48 2018 New whisky in stores this week Aberfeldy 21 Year Old – Christmas Edition £131.75 Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Sweet Smoke £54.95 Ardbeg 27 Year Old (That […]
  • the-exceptional-blend-1st-edition-whisky The Exceptional Blend 1st Edition (43%, Sutcliffe & Son, 2018) (12/2/2018) - The Exceptional Blend 1st Edition whisky review: A heavily-sherry influenced blend which may draw more from the casks than it does its component parts, I guess as with any blend it is hard to tell. Very well put together, a lot lighter and more summer fruits on the palate than the nose suggests which is a pleasant surprise. Very drinkable. 81/100
  • the-lost-distilleries-blend-whisky The Lost Distilleries Blend Batch 11 (52.3%, The Blended Whisky Company, 2018) (12/1/2018) - The Lost Distilleries Blend Batch 11 whisky review: A lovely blend that smacks of aged stock and I wouldn't have been surprised if this was blended (or even single) malt. Quite a complex dram but that is unsurprising considering choice of components has been arrived at by availability and status (i.e. closed distillery). Perhaps a little zesty and spirity in places but here this adds character whereas other blends would smooth this out and diminish the tasting experience (in my opinion). 88/100
  • Gordon & MacPhail launch Private Collection Glenrothes 1974 - pack shot - HRfE Glenrothes 1974 Private Collection (49.5%, Gordon & MacPhail, Refill Sherry Puncheon #18440, 276 Bottles, 2018) (11/29/2018) - Glenrothes 1974 Private Collection whisky review: A delicious nose and initial palate on this old Glenrothes before the sherry wood really takes over, a shame really as if it reserved a little body and sweetness throughout this could be an amazing dram. 87/100
  • Gordon & MacPhail launch Private Collection Inverleven 1985 - pack shot HRfE Inverleven 1985 Private Collection (57.4%, Gordon & MacPhail, Bourbon Barrel #562, 130 Bottles, 2018) (11/29/2018) - Inverleven 1985 Private Collection whisky review: A lovely old ex-bourbon matured expression, unfortunately I have little frame of reference for this as I haven't previously sampled Inverleven output. Certainly display's its age and is full of lively and entertaining flavours that I enjoyed very much. 86/100
  • glengoyne-21-year-old Glengoyne 21 Years Old (43%, OB, 2018) (11/28/2018) - Glengoyne 21 Years Old whisky review: A sherry-packed dram with masses of sun-dried fruit and cocoa with just a hint of gentle spices. Comparing against the Teapot dram, the age of the 21 was apparent due to the old/dry and antique woody notes. Comparing with the 18 Year Old this has feels like it has much more 1st fill sherry cask influence. Possibly one of the best value-for-money 21 year old official bottlings available. 90/100
  • glengoyne_18_years_old Glengoyne 18 Years Old (43%, OB, 2018) (11/28/2018) - Glengoyne 18 Years Old whisky review: A remarkably mature and well-balanced dram this one reveals itself slowly so demands you slow down and take time over it. Reserved and refined rather than a sherry bomb, 1st fill casks have been used carefully here and countered well with refill influences. 86/100
  • Shamrock whiskey Scotland’s oldest Auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull announce their inaugural whisky auction ‘Exceptional & Rare’ (11/27/2018) - ‘Exceptional & Rare’ inaugural Whisky & Spirits auction from Lyon & Turnbull 5th December 2018 Established in Edinburgh in 1826, Lyon & Turnbull are Scotland’s oldest firm of auctioneers. In the nineteenth […]
  • glengoyne-12-year-old Glengoyne 12 Years Old (43%, OB, 2018) (11/27/2018) - Glengoyne 12 Years Old whisky review: Quite thick and appealing, very malty and with lots of well-established fruit flavours. The sherry adds a little touch of chocolate that along with coconut notes reminded me of Bounty chocolate bars. 84/100
  • Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch No. 006 Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6 (59.3%, OB, 2772 Bottles, 2018) (11/26/2018) - Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6 whisky review: Another fantastic Sherry Bomb, during the tasting we sampled this alongside Glengoyne 21 Year Old expression which really highlighted the new oak wood and fresh fruit character of the Teapot Dram. Youthfulll and exuberant but with masses of sherry-influenced flavour and characteristic Glengoyne fruity spirit. Many at the tasting were convinced that this 6th edition was as good as the 1st if not better. 91/100
  • new-whisky-releases New Whisky Releases: Week 47 2018 (11/25/2018) - New Whisky Releases: Week 47 2018 New in store this week   Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) £724.95 ARDMORE 1996 21 Year Old Adelphi £160 ARDMORE 1997 20 Year Old First […]
  • laphroaig-10-year-old-whisky Laphroaig 10 Years Old (40%, OB, 2014) (11/25/2018) - Laphroaig 10 Years Old whisky review: A simply classic expression from Laphroaig, sweeter and milkier than my memory serves. I always remember the smoke and creosote from this dram although I'll not be tasting that until tomorrow! I can't believe it has taken me this long to sit down and collect notes from this. After quite a break from drinking this regularly it has been a pleasure to return and remind myself what great quality Laphroaig has even in their most basic expression. 84/100
  • kavalan-single-malt-whisky Kavalan Classic Single Malt (40%, OB, 2018) (11/24/2018) - Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky Review: Very pleasant but rather light in places, fades as an experience, i.e. nose>palate>finish, still a great base whisky with which Kavalan have done wonders with. 82/100
  • BlackFriday2018-teaser Black Friday 2018: Orkney 18 Years Old (54.6%, The Whisky Exchange, 1400 Bottles, 2018) (11/23/2018) - Black Friday 2018: Orkney 18 Years Old whisky review: A rather spicy, sweet, spicy, gently smoky, spicy, and spiced woody dram, did I mention a liberal sprinkling of spices here? I want to say fairly pleasant - but for me it's that horrid example of Highland Park in refill casks that is the Palate-prickling equivalent of chewing on a wasp stuck on a thistle, bbq'd and covered in heather honey then washed down with Lemsip-soaked nettles. If you love that kind of thing then good for you - its a perfect example!
  • Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch No. 006 Glengoyne Distillery launches Teapot Dram Batch No. 006 (11/22/2018) - Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the release of the much-anticipated Teapot Dram Batch No. 006. The sixth release in the coveted Teapot Dram series, Batch No. 006 is matured […]
  • irish-single-malt-1-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whiskey Irish Single Malt 13 Years Old Batch #3 (46.8%, That Boutique-Y Whisky Company, 2018) (11/22/2018) - Irish Single Malt 13 Years Old Batch #3 whisky review: Plenty of body, packed full of fresh fruit and cereals, just a touch to sour and oaky on the finish for me. Quite a summery dram. 83/100
  • brenne-french-single-malt-whisky Brenne Cuvee Speciale (40%, OB, 2018) (11/21/2018) - Brenne Cuvee Speciale whisky review: I quite like this one, something very different from classic Scotch single malts.  Definitely on the sweeter side and very perfumed, but I couldn't get over my love of classic bubblegums which this reminded me of, and also cinnamon schnapps (which I'd rather not be reminded of!) something in the spirit quality maybe? Overall quite a different experience. 81/100
  • new-whisky-releases New Whisky Releases: Week 46 2018 (11/20/2018) - New Whisky Releases: Week 46 2018 New whisky in store this week 1770 Whisky – Release No.1 £99.95 Arran 21 Year Old – White Stag Third Release £499.95 Arran 21 Year Old […]
  • Red Spot Launch Dublin whiskey bonding tradition is honoured with new Red Spot Irish Whiskey launch (11/15/2018) - The top spot in the Spot Whiskeys range is reimagined, rekindled and reintroduced from this month Irish Distillers, producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has unveiled Red Spot Single Pot […]
  • Blood Oath Family Shot Blood Oath Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Trilogy Available This Fall (11/15/2018) - Pact No. 1, 2 and 3 exclusively packed together for the holidays Just in time for the holidays, the Blood Oath limited release series trilogy pack – including Pact No. 1, 2 […]
  • Tomatin Visitor Centre Tomatin gets into the Christmas spirit with festive fair (11/15/2018) - Scotch whisky distiller Tomatin has today (Monday 12th November 2018) announced that it is set to get into the festive spirit as it gears up to host its annual Christmas Fair on […]
  • Rare whiskies charity auction Whisky.Auction announce #WhiskyforOceans rare whisky auction in aid of charities battling plastic pollution (11/15/2018) - GREATEST COLLECTION OF ONE-OFF WHISKIES SET TO RAISE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR CHARITIES BATTLING PLASTIC POLLUTION #WhiskyForOceans Online spirits auctioneer, whisky.auction (www.whisky.auction), is to host a public sale of the most impressive […]
  • The One Port Prototype Cask Strength The ONE Port Edition Prototype Cask Strength (60.2%, OB, 2018) (11/14/2018) - The One Port Prototype Cask Strength whisky review: Definitely benefiting from delivery strength, this Port finish expression is dangerously drinkable at 60.2% ABV, With such and intensity of flavour you could almost be mistaken that this has spent some time around PX-sherry apart from the telltale jammy fruits, very much plum, damson and cranberry and of course that awesome Crimson colour! 86/100
  • the-one-limited-edition-sherry-expression-p280-935_medium The ONE Sherry Limited Edition (46.6%, OB, 5500 Bottles, 2018) (11/13/2018) - The ONE Sherry Limited Edition whisky review: Very balanced, quite robust for a blended whisky and the higher ABV really helps add meat to this ones bones. A pleasant mixture of spirit and cask, lively -most likely from the youthfull Lakes distillate, but really quite accomplished. A definite improvement on last years release. 84/100
  • MORTLACH 14YR Bottle[1] Mortlach launches travel retail exclusive single malt (11/13/2018) - New  collection  from  Mortlach  showcases  the  best  kept  secret  in  Scotch Diageo  Global  Travel  unveiled  “Alexander’s  Way”,  a  14 year old  Mortlach   Single  Malt,  exclusive  to  travel  retail.  It  forms  part […]
  • Slane Distillery Christmas Market_3 Embrace the festive season at Slane distillery Christmas market this winter. (11/13/2018) - Slane Distillery Christmas Market will run every weekend from Friday, November 30 to Sunday, December 23 Slane Distillery, the recently-opened whiskey distillery located on the historic grounds of Slane Castle in the […]
  • Christmas Malt 3 A Fine Christmas Malt 17 Years Old (58.7%, The Whisky Exchange, 1800 Bottles, 2018) (11/11/2018) - A Fine Christmas Malt 2018 whisky review: A lovely sherried Christmas dram, a little spicy and sappy/pine wood actually keeps this refreshing. There is plenty of sticky syrupy sweet and buttery oils in here but well-balanced against wood influences. Perhaps not the most redolent of Christmas for me, this sherried dram is very drinkable and certainly got me in the mood for Christmas at the very least. A great selection by The Whisky Exchange at a very reasonable price. 85/100
  • new-whisky-releases New Whisky Releases: Week 45 2018 (11/11/2018) - New Whisky Releases: Week 45 2018 Latest whisky in stores this week: A Fine Christmas Malt 17 Years Old £74.95  – our review here Allt-á-Bhainne 25 Year Old 1993 (cask 12267) – […]
  • Gordon & MacPhail launch Private Collection Glenrothes 1974 - pack shot - HRfE Gordon & MacPhail celebrates its ‘Private Collection’ range with a new look (11/8/2018) - Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled a new look for its ‘Private Collection’ range: rare and exclusive single malts personally selected by members of the Urquhart family, owners […]
  • Octaves peated batch 2 infront retouch Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2 (44%, OB, 2018) (11/7/2018) - Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2 whisky review: Quite savoury in comparison to the Octaves Classic Batch 2. Chalky and mineralic on the nose and palate and a lovely dry peat smoke (not oily Islay-like) much more herbal and mineralic Speyside peat at play here, delicious.
  • Octaves classic batch 2 infront retouch Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2 (44%, OB, 2018) (11/7/2018) - Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2 whisky review: A touch spicy as presented but with lots of great structure and medley of fruits, quite a lot of different cask stave influences made this one difficult to ascertain more exact flavour descriptors. A drop of water made it creamier and sweeter and revealed malted milk biscuit cereal notes. 83/100
  • Wood Chateau Cissac Bordeaux 2010 bottle & box Benromach release Château Cissac Bordeaux Wood Finish 2010 limited edition (11/6/2018) - BENROMACH DISTILLERY ADDS WOOD FINISH TO CONTRAST RANGE Single malt finished in Château Cissac casks   The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd. has unveiled the latest addition to its Wood Finish portfolio with […]
  • Jameson Caskmates Stout Jameson Caskmates Editions make the perfect Christmas gifts for Beer & Whisky Lovers (11/6/2018) - ‘TIS THE SEASON OF GIFT GIVING JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY HAS CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR HIM ALL WRAPPED-UP Jameson Irish Whiskey has two new mates for the guy in your life to celebrate with […]
  • new-whisky-releases New Whisky Releases: Week 44 2018 (11/5/2018) - Our weekly round up of new whisky releases BALCONES TRUE BLUE £74.75 BEN NEVIS 1990 27 Year Old Signatory 30th Anniversary £375 BLADNOCH 1993 25 Year Old Signatory 30th Anniversary £275 BOWMORE 1972 45 Year […]
  • Longmorn 1961 Decanters 508 and 512 Longmorn 57 Years Old 1961 Cask #512 (40.8%, Gordon & MacPhail, 97 Bottles, 2018) (11/1/2018) - Longmorn 57 Years Old 1961 Cask #512 whisky review: More closed on the nose, this one rewarded a little more fruit on the palate but again another Cask-heavy wood-centric expression that sadly could have come from any number of distilleries. Once again no hint of Longmorn here. Despite the big numbers on these casks I found both more than a little disappointing. Perhaps I had set my expectations far too high, yet I have had other G&M old or even very old whiskies that have been simply sublime. Of the two casks this one was definitely more palateable. 79/100
  • Longmorn 1961 Decanters 508 and 512 Longmorn 57 Years Old 1961 Cask #508 (45%, Gordon & MacPhail, 97 Bottles, 2018) (11/1/2018) - Longmorn 57 Years Old 1961 Cask #508 whisky review: Great nose, and a wonderful experience to try such an old Longmorn, but, the contrast between the nose and palate is too great. Far too over-oaked for my palate, too spicy, bitter and harsh. Masses of or practically liquid/distilled European Oak wood didn't make for a pleasurable drinking experience. Water made it more spicy and tannic, something this whisky didn't lack. A lesson in wood. 63/100
  • John Walker & Sons Private Collection 28 Year Old Midnight Blend Johnnie Walker unveils the John Walker & Sons Private Collection 28 Year Old Midnight Blend (11/1/2018) - Johnnie Walker has announced the launch of the fifth and final edition in the John Walker & Sons Private Collection – 28 Year Old Midnight Blend, a smooth and indulgent Scotch Whisky, […]
  • New stills Whisky Blog Rankings November 2018 (11/1/2018) - November 2018 update whisky blog ranking Ranked by Alexa rank / traffic estimates thewhiskeywash.com scotchwhisky.com breakingbourbon.com malt-review.com whiskyadvocate.com whisky.com forwhiskeylovers.com thewhiskeyjug.com maltymates.com whiskeyreviewer.com bourbonr.com whiskyfun.com bourbonbanter.com modernthirst.com scotchnoob.com distillerytrail.com scotchaddict.com whiskynotes.be whiskyexperts.net meleklerinpayi.com […]
  • Chivas Blending Kit Line Up Master the art of blending at home with Chivas’ experimental blending kit (11/1/2018) - Chivas, the original luxury blended Scotch whisky, has launched a Blending Kit featuring a selection of whiskies and tools to give Scotch lovers the chance to get hands-on and experience the art […]
  • glen-grant-18-year-old-rare-edition-whisky Glen Grant 18 Year Old Named “Scotch Whisky of the Year” (11/1/2018) - GLEN GRANT® SHINES BRIGHT IN JIM MURRAY’S WHISKY BIBLE 2019, RECEIVES TOP SINGLE MALT SCOTCH HONOR FOR THIRD YEAR IN A ROW Glen Grant® once again took home top honours for its category […]
  • Highland-park-wings-of-the-eagle Highland Park 16 Years Old Wings Of The Eagle (44.5%, OB, 2018) (10/25/2018) - Highland Park 16 Years Old Wings Of The Eagle whisky review: Much more established fruit flavour here, a lovely touch of cocoa, buttery smoke and almonds. I'm not sure why but to me Highland Park always seems to taste best when matured in European Sherry oak wood. 85/100
  • highland-park-14-year-old-loyalty-of-the-wolf Highland Park 14 Years Old Loyalty Of The Wolf (42.3%, OB, 2018) (10/25/2018) - Highland Park 14 Years Old Loyalty Of The Wolf whisky review: Definitely sweeter than the Spirit Of The Bear expression this is sweet & buttery on the nose but becomes increasingly sour and bitter by the finish. 83/100
  • highland-park-spirit-of-the-bear 1 Highland Park Spirit Of The Bear (40%, OB, 2018) (10/25/2018) - Highland Park Spirit Of The Bear whisky review: Smoky but gentle & easy going (not bold), lots of sweet fruits, vanilla and slightly drying and oaky. 77/100
  • Cask 2682 Bottle Infront BenRiach 12 Years Old 2005 Cask #2682 (53.9%, OB, Batch 15, Peated/Port Pipe, 792 Bottles, 2018) (10/24/2018) - BenRiach 12 Years Old 2005 Cask #2682 whisky review: Perfectly balanced earthy Highland peat smoke and dark and jammy fruits. 85/100
  • benriach-12-year-old-sherry-wood-whisky (2018) BenRiach 12 Years Old Sherry Wood Matured (46%, OB, 2018) (10/24/2018) - BenRiach 12 Years Old Sherry Wood Matured Whisky Review: Surprisingly I found myself thinking this isn't as overtly sherried as I was expecting. Sure there is some spice but there is a freshness to the red berry fruits on the palate that was both earthy and refreshing. Overall quite balanced. 85/100
  • benriach-10-year-old-whisky BenRiach 10 Years Old (43%, OB, 2018) (10/24/2018) - BenRiach 10 Years Old Whisky Review: A well-structured 10 year old from BenRiach with plenty of sweet vanilla, citrus fruit and zesty spice on the palate, strengthened by malt and subtle, more sherried influences add complexity. 83/100
  • the-glendronach-15-year-old-revival-whisky The GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival (46%, OB, 2018) (10/23/2018) - The GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival whisky review: A classic GlenDronach on the nose but quite bitter on the palate with influences of pine, coffee, grinds plenty of tannins and woody spice. I don't know why but I am increasingly under the impression that much more PX cask usage is shifting the balance away from Oloroso sweet and fruity influences. Looking back I have scored this 15 marginally higher than the last. 85/100
  • the-glendronach-12-year-old-whisky The GlenDronach 12 Years Old Original (43%, OB, 2018) (10/23/2018) - The GlenDronach 12 Years Old Original whisky review: Lovely sherried GlenDronach, drier and a little spicier in places than I remember, either my palate has changed or I feel there is a lot more PX influence, thus less Oloroso in the balance of flavours? Still a great entry-level whisky from GlenDronach and worthy of a place on the shelf of any whiskyphile partial to a sherried dram. 83/100
  • glendronach-forgue-10-year-old The GlenDronach 10 Years Old Forgue (43%, OB, 2018) (10/23/2018) - The GlenDronach 10 Years Old Forgue whisky review: A little fatty/buttery and youthful spirit in here but also plenty of sherry influence, lighter and brighter fruits initially then drier and spicier oak wood. Sweet then sour, for a 10 year old this has some diversity over the palate, again thanks in part to the blatant usage of good old Sherry casks on this GlenDronach. 83/100
  • Drink it like Beckham (10/23/2018) - HAIG CLUB AND DAVID BECKHAM LAUNCH NEW PRINT CAMPAIGN: ‘MAKE YOUR OWN RULES’ Haig Club has today (23rd october 2018) revealed its latest print campaign, ‘Make Your Own Rules’, starring brand partner, […]
  • Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish_Limited Release Ledaig 19 Years Old 1998 PX Cask Finish (55.7%, OB, 360 bottles, 2018) (10/22/2018) - Ledaig 19 Years Old 1998 PX Cask Finish whisky review: Wow, completely different from the Ledaig 1998 Oloroso finish, this is a super expression with much more intense dried fruit, nut and chocolate influence balanced better againats the smoky Ledaig spirit. A touch mentholic but a great example of where this works in conjunction with rich dark chocolate. 90/100
  • Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish_Limited Release Ledaig 19 Years Old 1998 Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish (46.3%, OB, 2400 Bottles, 2018) (10/22/2018) - Ledaig 19 Years Old 1998 Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish whisky review: Fruity and smoky but for me a little too light in places, hardly any barley malt and much too fine/light a spirit for these flavours, needs more oils, also some funk on the nose which may not be to everyone's liking. 83/100
  • Tomatin US Flag Tomatin grows stateside (10/17/2018) - TOMATIN NAMED FASTEST GROWING TOP 10 SINGLE MALT WHISKY IN THE US Highland whisky distillery Tomatin, has today (Tuesday 16th October) announced that it is officially the fastest growing top ten single malt […]
  • 20181016 HRH_Royal_Lochnagar_05 A royal visit to Royal Lochnagar (10/17/2018) - HRH THE PRINCE CHARLES, DUKE OF ROTHESAY, VISITS ROYAL LOCHNAGAR DISTILLERY TO BE PRESENTED WITH GIFTED CASK OF 30-YEAR-OLD SCOTCH WHISKY HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, visited Royal Lochnagar Distillery […]
  • McConnochie_0002 The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glanglassaugh distillery manager inducted as Keeper of the Quaich (10/17/2018) - Born in the shadow of White Horse Distillers in Glasgow, Alan McConnochie was always destined for a future in the whisky business. Starting his first job in 1973 in the bottling hall […]
  • Calvados-Drouin-1989-vintage Christian Drouin 1989 Calvados Pays d’Auge (42%, OB, 2017) (10/16/2018) - Christian Drouin 1989 Calvados Pays d'Auge review: A fantastically balanced Calvados, the sherry has deepened and darkened the fruits, reducing the apple sweetness and also prolonging some lovely mouth-coating oils. Everything in moderation here results in the complete package, dangerously easy to drink before you realise the fully what is going on. Deliciously light nutty and woody smoke, tart brambles and tannic oak. 93/100
  • Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish_Limited Release Tobermory 12 Years Old 2005 Fino Cask Finish (55.1%, OB, 1710 Bottles, 2018) (10/16/2018) - Tobermory 12 Years Old 2005 Fino Cask Finish whisky review: Not overly complex but lots of pleasant flavours, definitely sweeter and darker fruits than I would have normally expected from Fino sherry casks - perhaps this spent quite some time in them? 85/100
  • Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish_Limited Release Deanston 9 Years Old 2008 Brandy Cask Finish (56.4%, OB, 2018) (10/16/2018) - Deanston 9 Years Old 2008 Brandy Cask Finish whisky review: Very sweet on the nose - much less so on the palate. This one is a little acidic fruit and vaporous spirit in places - perhaps showing its youth? Very similar to many of the Distillery only bottlings which show great promise but can be a little feisty at cask strength and reward a drop of water to calm them down. 83/100
  • Coquerel Bourbon cask IWSC Calvados Coquerel 4 Years Old Finished in Bourbon Barrels (41%, OB, 2000 bottles, 2018) (10/15/2018) - Calvados Coquerel 4 Years Old Limited Edition Finished in Bourbon Barrels review: The perfect combination of apple pie and custard, simply delicious! 87/100
  • Lindores Abbey Cask Blend Lindores Abbey Cask Blend (60%, OB, 2018) (10/15/2018) - Lindores Abbey Cask Blend review: A little too feisty at 60% ABV, but packed full of dried fruit, spice and toffee, well-reduced with water it reveals some cask and some new make spirit characters and suggest that things are maturing quite nicely at Lindores Abbey distillery - a taste of things to come. 82/100
  • Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae (40%, OB, 2018) (10/15/2018) - Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae review: Interesting neat but tastes a bit like a cough medicine and reminded me a lot of Calvados too, perhaps as part of a cocktail or longer drink this would come into its own? 80/100
  • #LindoresAbbey Tasting Lindores Abbey New Make Spirit (73%, OB, 2018) (10/15/2018) - Lindores Abbey New Make Spirit review: A delicate New Make Spirit with plenty of malt character and little lactic or metallic nature as can often be found, my guess would be they are aiming this to be very drinkable when it is still young (similar to Kilchoman when they started distilling)?
  • Irish Distillers Dungourney Irish Distillers announces €150 million investment in sites in Cork and Dublin (10/15/2018) - More than €150 million is to be invested into Irish Distillers’ Midleton Distillery, maturation site in Dungourney, Co. Cork, and bottling plant Fox and Geese, Dublin over the next two years Nearly […]
  • Susan Colville, Keeper of the Quaich Brand Home Manager of Forres distillery joins exclusive Scotch whisky society (10/15/2018) - A distillery brand home manager who has been delighting visitors for five years about Benromach Speyside single malt Scotch whisky has become a Keeper of the Quaich at an exclusive ceremony at […]
  • Glenmorangie DEEP oysters being laid 2018 Glenmorangie returns 20,000 oysters to the sea near its home (10/15/2018) - Distillery recreates extinct Native Oyster reefs in the Dornoch Firth, an environmental first A total of 20,000 oysters are to be introduced into the sea near Glenmorangie’s Highland home, as part of […]
  • National Calvados Week 2018 National Calvados Week October 15th-23rd 2018 (10/14/2018) - National Calvados Week 2018 starts tomorrow Monday 15th October. For events near you check out National Calvados Week.com
  • Bunnahabhain 1997 Palo Cortado Cask Finish_Limited Release Bunnahabhain 20 Years Old 1997 Palo Cortado Finish (54.9%, OB, Limited Release 2018, 1620 Bottles) (10/12/2018) - Bunnahbhain 20 Years Old 1997 Palo Cortado Finish whisky review: A delightful expression, plenty of sweet vanilla suggest plenty of ex-Bourbon maturation before the final Palo Cortado finish. I loved this plenty of buttery nut and coffee notes but without too much of the chocolate that can come from PX or occasionally Oloroso casks. An expression well-deserving of being the pinnacle of Distell's 2018 limited releases. 93/100
  • 5Bunnahabhain 2008 Moine Bordeaux_Limited Release Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured (58.1%, OB, 4536 Bottles, 2018) (10/11/2018) - Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured whisky review: A powerful, full-bodied, peated and earthen Bunnahabhain, sweetened by the use of the wine casks but also enhanced with dried fruit and tannins complementing the darker coffee and chocolate notes too. Reminded me of tart and earthy elderberries. 90/100
  • coquerel-bourbon-finish Calvados Coquerel release inaugural Singulier Calvados range with a Bourbon Barrel finished Calvados (10/11/2018) - The House of Coquerel cherishes a solid belief: that a great Calvados is above all a great cidre and therefore masters all the production process of its Calvados. 
In the perpetual quest […]
  • Caol Ila 2008 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Caol Ila 2008 Post-Octave (52.8%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/10/2018) - Caol Ila 2008 Post-Octave whisky review: Again a very different experience, lots has moved around in this whisky when compared to the pre-octave and a heap of spices added, although here they are less distracting than the Highalnd Park Post-Octave. A lot more burnt, but dry burnt rather than over-caramelised sugars. Although the same score I prefer the Pre-Octave Caol Ila. 86/100
  • Caol Ila 2008 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Caol Ila 2008 Pre-Octave (53.1%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/10/2018) - Caol Ila 2008 Pre-Octave whisky review: A lovely vanilla and ashen Caol Ila, for a 10 year old this has developed a lot of subtleties that make it simply wonderful, ever-evolving on the palate gently introducing new flavours and aromas - not overpowering. Yum! 86/100
  • 180920-132135-COMP-FOCUS Fresh duo of Glenglassaugh octaves released (10/10/2018) - Glenglassaugh Distillery, standing at the edge of the beautiful Sandend Bay on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland, has released Batch 2 of its Octave cask expressions, Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic and Peated. […]
  • Ballantine's True Music Famed street artist Felipe Pantone partners with Ballantine’s for True Music Series (10/10/2018) - Europe’s No. 1 Scotch whisky and the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky, has this month announced Felipe Pantone as the latest True Music Series collaborator following previous partnerships with beatboxer, Reeps One and graphic designers Leif […]
  • Stuck_in_Glass_small_1024x1024 (1) Mind Bending Handmade Glassware from Stuck in Glass (10/9/2018) - A whisky glass with a difference! While most of my tasting is performed with fairly standard glassware, occasionally I like to sit back, relax and drink whisky just for the sheer pleasure […]
  • Highland Park 2003 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Highland Park 2003 Post-Octave (50.7%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/9/2018) - Highland Park 2003 Post-Octave whisky review: Having taken an already superb whisky and finished it for presumably only a short period (of all the samples this appeared to have the least difference/increase in colour), sadly there is too much spice on the initial palate for me and I struggled to decide whether I liked this one more or less than the Pre-Octave sample. I guess I was hoping for more here which didn't come but this is still undeniably a good whisky. 87/100
  • Highland Park 2003 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Highland Park 2003 Pre-Octave (50.9%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/9/2018) - Highland Park 2003 Pre-Octave whisky review: A simply beautiful Highland Park expression, the bourbon cask has imparted a delicious sweet creamy vanilla to counter the herbal smoke, surprisingly I didn't pick out much malt but it is there all along adding a lovely weight to this dram. A purists dream this one. 87/100
  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave (52.8%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/8/2018) - Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave whisky review: A massive improvement again on the original cask, some of the spices still carry through but appear mostly on the finish here. 83/100
  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Duncan Taylor Pre-Post-Octave Bunnahabhain 2008 Pre-Octave (53.2%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/8/2018) - Bunnahabhain 2008 Pre-Octave whisky review: Initially pleasant, this dram develops spirity spice and sourness all over, a few drops of water calmed it down a little but salted & sour oak wood prevail. After a lot more water, creamy vanilla. 72/100
  • Japanese Whisky Brian Ashcraft Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit by Brian Ashcraft (10/8/2018) - Book Review: Japanese Whisky The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Desirable Spirit with Tasting Notes from Japan’s Leading Whisky Blogger 144 pages (Hardcover) Publisher: Tuttle ISBN 4805314095 RRP £16.99 What they say […]
  • Tamdhu 'Spain to Speyside' campaign launch copy Tamdhu toasts International Sherry Week with campaign launch (10/8/2018) - One of Speyside’s leading single malt scotch whisky distilleries has launched a new campaign to celebrate its strong links with Spain in time for International Sherry Week (8-14 October). Tamdhu Single Malt Scotch […]