Articles
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 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
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 (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 (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
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 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 […]
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 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 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 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
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
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 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 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
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. […]
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 […]
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 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 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 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 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: 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 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 […]
Whisky Blog Rankings October 2018 (10/8/2018) - Our monthly #Whiskymetrics looking at Whisky Blogs ranked by Alexa traffic estimate
Macduff 2007 Post-Octave (52.6%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/7/2018) - Macduff 2007 Post-Octave whisky review: A very different character after the Octave finish, creamy, herbal and spicy had me reminiscing of creamy curry dishes and longing for pistachio kulfi afterwards. Delicious! 84/100- Macduff 2007 Pre-Octave (52.9%, Duncan Taylor 2018) (10/7/2018) - Macduff 2007 Pre-Octave whisky review: Full of classic 'Speyside' flavours of fruits and cereals, a crisp acidity runs throughout this dram keeping the palate clean. 80/100
Miltonduff 2008 Post-Octave (52.6%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/6/2018) - Miltonduff 2008 Post-Octave whisky review: A much more complete whisky, more body and some dried-fruit and further addition of spices more than fill in the gaps where the Pre-Octave sample was a little lacking. Nice to see plenty of elements of the original retained especially that fresh floral and lemon on the nose. 83/100- Miltonduff 2008 Pre-Octave (53.1%, Duncan Taylor, 2018) (10/6/2018) - Miltonduff 2008 Pre-Octave whisky review: This Miltonduff is just not quite there. Lots of good qualities, light, refreshing, floral, fruity and sweet on the nose but the palate is too spirity and vaporous. Along with the colour I'd suggest a good start in a refill ex-Bourbon hogshead but not quite ready to drink yet. 70/100
Caol Ila 2004 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, C-si; 2-476, 2016) (10/5/2018) - Caol Ila 2004 Distillers Edition whisky review: A much more meatier and smokier edition than the previous years vintage. Some may like this more but I think this has drifted slightly too far from the sweet and peat balance. More like a standard Caol Ila, malt and smoke becomes spicy and drying and a little sourness from the wood is unmasked too. 82/100
Caol Ila 2003 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, C-si; 2-475, 2015) (10/4/2018) - Caol Ila 2003 Distillers Edition whisky review: A deliciously sweet and peaty Caol Ila Distillers Edition with a burst of well-integrated fruits adding to the heady malt and smoke mixture. 84/100
Chivas champions Blended Scotch category (10/4/2018) - Chivas, the original luxury blended Scotch whisky, is causing a stir with its new global creative campaign, Success is a Blend. Rolling out through the line globally from October, the campaign celebrates the […]
The Midleton very rare legacy continues with 2018 edition (10/4/2018) - Irish Distillers, makers of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has unveiled the 2018 vintage of Midleton Very Rare. The 35th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range, first unveiled in 1984, is a […]
Royal Salute launches limited edition 21 Year Old Beach Polo Edition (10/4/2018) - Royal Salute launches limited edition 21 Year Old Beach Polo Edition The ‘King of Whisky’, Royal Salute, continues to celebrate the harmony between the Sport of Kings and exceptional Scotch whisky, this […]
Johnnie Walker release GAME OF THRONES®- inspired White Walker whisky (10/4/2018) - Introducing White Walker by Johnnie Walker and The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection Send a raven – Scotch has officially entered the realm. In collaboration with HBO® and Game of Thrones, […]
Grant’s Triple Wood Smoky (40%, OB, 2018) (10/3/2018) - Grant's Triple Wood Smoky Blended Scotch whisky review: A delightful little blend that opens on the nose with a definite peat and smoke. I'm sure this will frighten a few people off but the palate in contrast is just full of fruit and dark sugars, the smoke doesn't really appear until much later. I'm definitely going to use this one in blind tastings as it really plays with the perceptions. Really rather fun! 80/100
Grant’s Rum Cask Finish (40%, OB, 2018) (10/2/2018) - Grant's Rum Cask Finish blended Scotch whisky review: A little sweeter than the Triple Wood. My fear was I really haven't been enjoying Rum-cask finished whiskies of late, but this one is a slight improvement over the entry-level blend. Perhaps it has polished that grain whisky edge off a little?
Grant’s Triple Wood (40%, OB, 2018) (10/1/2018) - Grant's Triple Wood blended scotch whisky review: A little grainy but decent flavours for an entry-level blend. Enough in here to stand up to mixing this into a long drink. 70/100
Gordon & MacPhail unveils oldest Longmorn single malts ever released (10/1/2018) - ’Twin’ Longmorn whiskies selected by identical twins from Gordon & MacPhail’s owning family Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail is releasing two decanters as part of its ‘Private Collection’, single […]
Claxton’s announce prestigious Winter 2018 Release (10/1/2018) - In October 2018, Claxton’s will launch their most prestigious release to date – ‘CLAXTON’S WINTER 2018 RELEASE’. This outturn displays a diverse array of styles and is comprised of five Single Cask, […]
New release Ardbeg Twenty Something is a vintage from the distillery’s darkest days (10/1/2018) - This rare 22 Year Old whisky pays tribute to those visionaries who helped keep Ardbeg’s spirit alive. In October of this year, whisky lovers will have the opportunity to experience the third […]
Laphroaig 21 Years Old 1996 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery ( 48.6%, SMWS, Refill PX HH, 230 Bottles, 2018) (9/30/2018) - SMWS 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery whisky review: OK so it is a finished whisky and my conscience still tells me that doesn't sit right with the old 'Product of a single cask' statement the bottles used to carry. Finishing is not only here to stay within SMWS, but has apparently been around since 1991 according to John. So here's to there being a little more explicit information or openness around finished casks. It only occurred to me after the tasting, but I wonder if finished casks have previously failed the tasting panel so badly they get sent for finishing? Whatever the history of this cask, it is undeniably tasty and drinkable now - in case a 21 year old PX sherry finished Islay malt hadn't piqued your curiosity... 89/100
Glen Scotia 15 Years Old 2002 93.94 The final trawl (56.8%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 226 Bottles, 2018) (9/30/2018) - SMWS 93.94 The final trawl whisky review: Yes! A fantastic Campbeltown malt whisky, slightly oily and fishy just as they should be. I loved this one and thought it was going to be my favourite of the tasting. 87/100
Inchmoan 10 Years Old 2006 135.6 Cones versus crones (57.1%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 297 Bottles, 2018) (9/30/2018) - SMWS 135.6 Cones versus crones whisky review: An intriguing dram this one, with a nose full of fresh vanilla and a palate of pure crazy in comparison. I actually rather liked this one, maybe a ot more than I should have. Not quite perfect for me, but a great indicator of where this spirit is headed with a little more maturation. I'll definitely be seeking out a few more of these 135's. 81/100
Glentauchers 11 Years Old 2006 63.49 In the dark of the abyss (60.6%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 549 Bottles, 2018) (9/30/2018) - SMWS 63.49 In the dark of the abyss whisky review: A beautifully over-sherried anything. Sold like hot cakes because of its dark colour. Lots of overtly sherry-like influence only not the good bits. Too spicy, too burnt. Not a trace of Glentauchers left. A great swig, probably better with water but it could take some time to find the right amount to dilute this one with. 83/100
Glen Moray 22 Years Old 1995 35.214 Without Pretence (55.7%, SMWS, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 221 Bottles, 2018) (9/30/2018) - SMWS 35.214 Without Pretence review: Sadly a good example of the numbers on the bottle just not adding up for me. Amazingly ethereal for a 22 year old whisky. Too old to boast much Glen Moray character, too under-active cask to display much flavour anywhere really. Nothing wrong with it, but not much to write home about either. 80/100
Diageo Reserve and Oblix announce the launch of the Johnnie Walker Grand Voyage at Oblix East (9/28/2018) - Diageo Reserve’s luxury Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker is set to immerse guests in an experience which reflects the brand’s own journey; originating in the four corners of Scotland, and now enjoyed across […]
Tomatin bolster line up with new 30 year old whisky (9/27/2018) - Highland whisky distillery Tomatin, has today (Thursday 27th September) announced the release of its new 30 Year Old single malt. Retailing at £300, the golden-amber expression is a premium batch release decanted into […]
The Carnegie Whisky Cellars and Wolfburn Distillery announce limited edition Poppyscotland whisky (9/27/2018) - The Carnegie Whisky Cellars and Wolfburn Distillery are excited to announce a limited edition single malt whisky to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. A total […]
London Single Malt Spirit Port 2 Years Old (62.5%, OB, Port Cask #39, 2018) (9/26/2018) - London Single Malt Spirit Port 2 Years Old review: Diminishing, from nose to finish. The nose is there or thereabouts, even a lovely musty wood smell that suggest old Port maturing in the cellars. The palate still carries a little tin from the new make spirit though the finish is balanced just right. Given time this is going to be a Port-lovers (or Port matured whisky-lovers) dream! 85/100
London Single Malt Spirit Sherry 2 Years Old (63.2%, OB, PX Cask #31, 2018) (9/26/2018) - London Single Malt Spirit Sherry 2 Years Old review: A delicious 2 year old PX matured sample suggest this first 'Sherry Cask Matured' expression that is going to be full of the classic nut, toffee and chocolate flavours that PX bestows. 88/100
London Single Malt Spirit Signature 2 Years Old (46%, OB, Batch 001, 2018) (9/26/2018) - London Single Malt Spirit Signature 2 Years Old review: This exuberant 2 year old mixture has certainly developed some flavour that hides its youth. The combination of dried fruit, nut and oak wood calls to mind vintage cars with leather seats and walnut dashboards and a good pipe smoker sat in the passenger seat next to you. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this is headed. 83/100
Bimber New Make Spirit (63.5%, OB, Batch 095, 2018) (9/26/2018) - Bimber New Make Spirit review: For a new make spirit this is remarkably non-lactic and has only a tinge of metallic influence on the palate. Remarkably drinkable at cask filling strength and reasonably robust and tasty too. A promising start!
Whisky Blog Rankings September 2018 (9/21/2018) - September 2018 update whisky blog ranking Ranked by Alexa rank / traffic estimates http://thewhiskeywash.com/ https://scotchwhisky.com/ http://www.whisky.com/blog/ http://www.breakingbourbon.com/ http://malt-review.com/ http://whiskyadvocate.com/blog/ http://www.meleklerinpayi.com/ https://www.forwhiskeylovers.com/ http://thewhiskeyjug.com/ http://whiskeyreviewer.com/ https://maltymates.com/en/ http://www.whiskyfun.com/ http://modernthirst.com/ http://www.bourbonbanter.com/bourbonblog/ http://scotchnoob.com/ http://scotchaddict.com/ http://www.distillerytrail.com/ http://bourbonr.com/blog/ http://www.whiskynotes.be/ […]
Take the Tomatin tour if you dare (9/21/2018) - Tomatin distillery brings back hauntingly good tour Highland whisky distillery Tomatin, is gearing up to host its infamous spook-tacular Fright Night tours in celebration of Halloween on Friday 26th of October. The two […]
Luxco Introduces Old Ezra Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon (9/21/2018) - Luxco introduces Old Ezra Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey this fall. Aged a full seven years for a more robust flavor, this bourbon is bottled at barrel strength of 117 proof. […]
Distell reveals six limited-edition malts at inaugural annual showcase (9/21/2018) - This week Distell hosted its first annual showcase event ‘The Malt Gallery’, as six new limited edition single malts were unveiled for 2018. The new releases represent the four distilleries in the […]
Old Pulteney 18 Years Old (46%, OB, 2018) (9/20/2018) - Old Pulteney 18 Years Old whisky review: Reminiscent of the recently discontinued Old Pulteney 17 Year Old, this 18 year old expression from Pulteney distillery has a healthy sherry influence and plenty of wonderful chocolate notes. My overall impression is this lacks a little complexity or is a bit more polished than the 17 perhaps. 87/100
Old Pulteney Huddart (46%, OB, 2018) (9/20/2018) - Old Pulteney Huddart whisky review: A lot less smoky than I was hoping for, pretty neutral but well constructed. 76/100
Bruichladdich distillery enjoys the good life (9/19/2018) - Bruichladdich Distillery purchase Shore House Croft In the world of fine wine, terroir is a concept that reflects the interaction between soil, exposure, orientation and climate on the growth of the vine […]
Williamson 6 Years Old 2011 Cask #130 (61.14%, A. D. Rattray, Sherry Butt, 504 Bottles, 2017) (9/18/2018) - Williamson 6 Years Old 2011 Cask #130 whisky review: Probably would have been my dram of the night if the Cask Islay (Caol Ila?) hadn't been so darned good! A lot earthier in its peat this one and some substantial cask influence despite the use of a bigger vessel (butt) over a relatively short period. Perhaps if left a few more years this one could have been truly amazing? 87/100
William Grant & Sons launches Aerstone, a new single malt range that aims to decode the category (9/18/2018) - Independent family distiller, William Grant & Sons, announces the launch of a new 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky, Aerstone. The brand focusses on the impact of maturation and malting on flavour […]
Limited Edition 1990 and 2003 vintages Cù Bòcan released (9/18/2018) - Cù Bòcan has added two more limited edition single malts to the range with the launch of 2003 and 1990 vintage releases. The 2003 vintage limited edition Cù Bòcan (aged 15 years […]
Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2018 Launches this Month (9/18/2018) - Limestone Branch Distillery introduces the 2018 variety of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the third and final barrel finishing experiment by Limestone Branch Distillery, set to hit the market in October. This […]
Glenmorangie takes to the waves: Whisky casks reimagined as limited edition handmade wooden surfboards (9/18/2018) - Glenmorangie Original goes Beyond the Cask in a creative partnership born from the love of wood In the latest of its Beyond the Cask creative collaborations, Glenmorangie takes to the waves in […]
BenRiach reintroduces Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years to core range (9/18/2018) - BenRiach, the unconventional Speyside distillery, has reintroduced a gold award winning expression to its core range. BenRiach Sherry Wood Aged 12 Years showcases the distillery’s reputation for creative, multi-faceted maturation. Made using […]
Cask Islay (46%, A. D. Rattray, 2018) (9/17/2018) - Cask Islay single malt scotch whisky review: A delicious Islay expression which at first nose suggested Caol Ila distillery, later a hint of gun oil had my mind drifting towards Lagavulin but the beauty of these is we don't really know where it came from (or if each release hails from the same place). The best thing to do is not care and just enjoy this for what it is - a really great peated Islay expression, powerfully evocative phenols paired with sweet vanilla from ex-Bourbon casks. 89/100
Cask Orkney 18 Years Old (46%, A. D. Rattray, 2018) (9/17/2018) - Cask Orkney 18 Years Old whisky review: I have to agree that this fits the profile of for example Highland Park's Freya expression (also Bourbon cask matured). Full of heathery and lightly floral peat influence and that slightly salty and very malty distillate the Kirkwall distillery is rather famous for. 86/100
Bruichladdich 32 Years Old 1984 Rare Cask Series Bourbon: All In (43.7%, OB, 3000 Bottles, 2017) (9/17/2018) - Bruichladdich 32 Years Old 1984 Rare Cask Series Bourbon: All In whisky review: Slightly reminiscent of Calvados with both fresh and baked apple flavours paired with old oak wood in a perfect combination. Slightly drying and spicy on the palate with ginger prominent but also a big dollop of vanilla cream and lots of mature tropical fruits. 92/100
Ledaig 12 Years Old Discovery (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, 2018) (9/15/2018) - Ledaig 12 Years Old Discovery Island single malt Scotch whisky review: For me Ledaig can be brilliant and on a par with Ardbeg with the first sip and like drinking out of stale beer can used as an ashtray from the party the night before the next. This is one of the great ones, and mostly thanks to Gordon & MacPhail's excellent cask management here. The Sherry influence isn't overt but just an addition of dried fruit, nut and tannin in the right places to carry this expression. The end result is actually quite amazing. 85/100
Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Discovery (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, 2018) (9/15/2018) - Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Discovery Islay single malt Scotch whisky review: A lot more balanced - of course, classic Gordon & MacPhail's pairing of spirit and cask. I'd have loved much more sherry influence, but this excels in its balance. A rather reminiscent nose led to initially quite closed palate, but given time it opens up to its own wonders. This is the sort of dram you could drink all night and keep finding new flavours. 85/100
Tomatin 2007 Discovery (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, 2018) (9/15/2018) - Tomatin 2007 Discovery Highland single malt Scotch whisky review: A creamy dessert-filled expression, this is so redolent of banana split I expected twice the calories of a standard whisky! Fresh bananas and masses of 'Bourbon' flavours such as vanilla and coconut add a mass of sweetness to the palate of this whisky, which was simply delicious. 85/100
Oban 2003 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, OD 166.FC, 2017) (9/15/2018) - Oban 2003 Distillers Edition Highland single malt Scotch whisky review: Quite a different dram to the 2001 DE, cleaner and crisper in the nose and palate but much more sour. Not like the sweetness of the 2001 DE and for that I liked it a lot less. I felt this had more spirit character and less influence from the finishing casks perhaps? 80/100
Oban 2001 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, OD 165.FB, 2016) (9/15/2018) - Oban 2001 Distillers Edition Highland single malt Scotch whisky review: I enjoyed this a little bit more than the last DE sampled (1998-2013), this had a sharpness or clarity throughout and the cleanliness of white grape with a touch of salt which added to the overall more pleasing presentation of this vintage. 83/100
Steel Bonnets (46.6%, OB, 2018) (9/14/2018) - Steel Bonnets Blended English and Scotch malt whisky review: A robust blended malt, I'm guessing a healthy influence of sherry cask maturation involved in some of the components at least due to the influences on the palate of orange, herbal, wood-smoke and nuts, very likeable in fact. 84/100
Diageo Unveils the Impeccably Crafted 2018 Special Releases Collection (9/14/2018) - Ten remarkable Scotch Whiskies will be released in limited quantities this autumn, as part of Diageo’s annual Special Releases collection. Eagerly anticipated by whisky enthusiasts and knowledge hunters worldwide, the limited edition […]
Jameson Cold Brew set to refresh Irish whiskey and coffee (9/14/2018) - Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, is set to pilot a new and innovative take on the classic combination of Irish whiskey and coffee; Jameson Cold Brew. […]
Liquid Poetry – Isle of Arran Distillers on the hunt for official poem for new distillery (9/14/2018) - The Isle of Arran Distillers have launched a competition to find the official poem for their Lagg Distillery. The winning entry will take pride of place onsite at the new distillery that […]
The GlenDronach marks the return of the classic 15 Year Old Revival (9/14/2018) - The GlenDronach Distillery, hidden in the fertile landscape of the Forgue valley, deep in the east Highland hills, is celebrating the much anticipated return of its 15 year old expression, The GlenDronach […]
Steel Bonnets recognised with prominent whisky award (9/14/2018) - Steel Bonnets, The Lakes Distillery’s blend of English and Scotch malt whisky, has been awarded a Gold Medal in the World Whisky Ultra-Premium category (whiskies priced over £51) by the prestigious Spirits […]
BenRiach 25 Years Old 1992 Cask #979 (53.9%, OB, Batch 15, Port HH, 275 Bottles, 2018) (9/13/2018) - BenRiach 25 Years Old 1992 Cask #979 single malt scotch whisky review: A delicious old port expression that is full of dark berry fruits and earthy, herbal and tannic wood. There is plenty of "port" sweetness here but it is all behind the powerful flavours at play. Delightful. 90/100
BenRiach 20 Years Old 1997 Cask #4437 (54.8%, OB, Batch 15, Marsala HH, 414 Bottles, 2018) (9/13/2018) - BenRiach 20 Years Old 1997 Cask #4437 single malt scotch whisky review: A great mixture of dried orchard and fresh tropical fruit, old wood enlivened with some zesty gingery spices. A lovely example of a 20 year old BenRiach and full ex-Marsala wine cask maturation. 89/100
Stronachie 10 Year Old (43%, A. D. Rattray, 2018) (9/13/2018) - Stronachie 10 Year Old single malt scotch whisky review: A great base or standard Benrinnes expression, and nice to sample something only matured in Bourbon casks. Plenty of room for distillery/spirit character to play here to great effect. 82/100
Bank Note 5 Years Old (43%, A.D Rattray, 2018) (9/13/2018) - Bank Note 5 Years Old blended Scotch whisky review: A pleasant blended scotch whisky, while the grain component is evident the end result is surprisingly rounded and drinkable considering the youngest element in this blend is 5 years old. Some nice cask char and spice elements present too. 76/100
Allt-a-bhainne launch set to shake up the single malt category (9/11/2018) - Introducing Chivas Brothers’ new sweetly peated Speyside single malt that stands proud Allt-A-Bhainne, the latest release from Scotch whisky specialist Chivas Brothers, is here to shake up the single malt category by mixing […]
BenRiach celebrates 120 Years with commemorative cask No. 10299 (9/11/2018) - BenRiach Distillery is marking its 120th anniversary with a commemorative cask selected from Warehouse 13, the oldest dunnage warehouse at the heart of the distillery. BenRiach Marsala Hogshead Cask No.10299 was distilled […]
Rare whisky marks 20th anniversary at Benromach Distillery (9/11/2018) - All profits from the sale of Benromach Cask No 1 single malt whisky will be donated to charitable causes Twenty years after family owned Benromach Distillery was reopened by His Royal Highness The Duke […]
Clynelish 1997 Distillers Edition (46%, OB, Cl-Br: 174-6k, 2011) (9/9/2018) - Clynelish 1997 Distillers Edition whisky review: A delicious waxy and dried fruit combination in this Clynelish expression which is mouth-dryingly good. I couldn't help thinking of eating soor ploom sweeties as it has a dry acidity that sucks in your cheeks, and your mouth dry. A shame that this expression may now have been lost. 87/100
Dalwhinnie 2002 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, D.SY.313, 2017) (9/8/2018) - Dalwhinnie 2002 Distillers Edition whisky review: Better than the standard Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old for me but then again I do like sherry-influenced whisky. This has more depth than the standard expression but is still wrapped in a light creaminess. Basically this is the Dalwhinnie 15 year old but with lively and juicy berry fruits, tannins and spices from the Oloroso Sherry cask. 83/100
BenRiach 10 Years Old 2007 Cask #8737 (58.9%, OB, Batch 15 Moscatel HH, 326 Bottles, 2018) (8/30/2018) - BenRiach 10 Years Old 2007 Cask #8737 whisky review: Another delicious example of BenRiach pairing with sweet wine maturation. This one seems a little more varied, with floral, waxy and coffee notes adding to the extra fruitiness the wine cask brings to the spirit. A little less sweet and more woody than the Sauternes (Cask #5807) matured expression. 85/100
Slane Distillery Rolls Out First Barrel at State-of-the-Art Distillery on the Grounds of Slane Castle (8/29/2018) - Slane Distillery, the recently-opened whiskey distillery located on the historic grounds of Slane Castle in the Boyne Valley, celebrated a major milestone this week when it filled its first barrel. The inaugural […]
BenRiach 10 Years Old 2008 Cask #5807 (59.7%, OB, Batch 15, Sauternes Barrique, 296 Bottles, 2018) (8/27/2018) - BenRiach 10 Years Old 2008 Cask #5807 whisky review: A delicious fruit-packed dram with a syrup-like sweetness redolent of the Sauternes wine itself, there is a little unusual spiced and oily menthol in places but it is easily forgivable. Plus any mentholic notes are mostly fleeting or lost anyway such is the power of the fruity and malty flavours here. A great example of spirit and cask pairing that highlights all the right influences. 85/100
Old Pulteney 15 Years Old (46%, OB, 2018) (8/27/2018) - Old Pulteney 15 Years Old whisky review: Very smooth but in a good way - palate-coating with great texture, rather than flavour-less, there is caramel, toffee and malt aplenty throughout. I had hoped for more of a sherry influence here, darker fruits, nut or chocolate - all of which I love. Rather this is more of a deep fruit and spice type dram but with a sweetness that suggests all sorts of different desserts. One for the sweet-toothed perhaps? 84/100
New Whisky Releases: Week 34 2018 (8/27/2018) - This weeks exciting new whisky releases Ardbeg 12 Year Old 2005 (cask 70161) – Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod) £104.30 Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) – Chieftain’s (Ian Macleod) £123.24 […]
Gordon & MacPhail celebrates 50th Anniversary of Connoisseurs Choice (8/27/2018) - The innovative range has paved the way for single malt whiskies for five decades To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range, family-owned whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail is enhancing the range […]
Pulteney 10 Years Old Rum octave finish – The Octave Project (55.8%, A.D.Rattray, 2018) (8/26/2018) - Pulteney 10 Years Old Rum octave finish - The Octave Project whisky review: Sweet but also a little savoury this one, it grew on me but not as instantly likeable as some of the others in this set. It is actually quite hard to fault the Original Bourbon Barrel expression which shone the most in intensity of flavour, the others at time seem a little muddled by the finishing but still of great quality. 83/100
