The Whiskyphiles

Scotch whisky

Whisky distilled, matured for a minimum of 3 years and bottled in Scotland

  • SMWS 72.36 Holy moly!

    Miltonduff 31 Years Old 1981 72.36 Holy moly! (44.6%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 51 Bottles, 2013) Speyside single malt scotch whisky 44.6% ABV, £169 Score: 91/100 What they say: Cask No. 72.36 Holy moly! – passion-fruit and kiwi on polished… Continue reading

    SMWS 72.36 Holy moly!

  • Aberlour 19 Years Old 1995 Wine Cask

    I’m stuggling to think of a better combination of whisky and cask than this example. The beautiful soft sweetness of Aberlour’s honeyed apples in Sweet (vin liquoreux) White Bordeaux such as Sauternes giving a zesty sweetness and a little salt… Continue reading

    Aberlour 19 Years Old 1995 Wine Cask

  • SMWS G1.12 Mouth puckering sweetness

    North British 23 Years Old 1990 G1.12 Mouth puckering sweetness (60.3%, SMWS Refill Bourbon HH, 163 Bottles, 2014) Single grain scotch whisky buy from SMWS 60.3% ABV Score: 85/100 What they say: Cask No. G1.12 The nose seemed delicate, yet also… Continue reading

    SMWS G1.12 Mouth puckering sweetness

  • SMWS 127.42 Peat freak heaven

    Port Charlotte 12 Years Old 2002 127.42 Peat freak heaven (63%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 127 Bottles, 2015) Islay single malt scotch whisky 63% ABV, £61.30 Score: 87/100 What they say: Cask 127.42 Colour: Dull amber Flavour: Heavily Peated The… Continue reading

    SMWS 127.42 Peat freak heaven

  • Ledaig 19 Years Old 1993 Private Collection

    Ledaig 19 Years Old 1993 Private Collection St Joseph Wood Finish ~ 45% (Gordon & MacPhail) Island single malt scotch whisky 45% ABV, £55 for 70cl Score: 92/100 What they say: Colour: Dark Amber. WITHOUT WATER: Nose: Sweet wine influences… Continue reading

    Ledaig 19 Years Old 1993 Private Collection

  • Bowmore 12 Years Old 2002 Small Batch

    Whisky Review: Bowmore 12 Years Old 2002 Small Batch (57.1%, Cadenheads, Bourbon HHs, 864 Bottles, 2015) Islay single malt scotch whisky 57.1% ABV, £47.95 for 70cl Score: 80/100 What they say: Distilled at Bowmore distillery in 2002 and matured for… Continue reading

    Bowmore 12 Years Old 2002 Small Batch

  • Ardbeg 10 Years Old

    Classic and well-loved single malt from Ardbeg – and for good reason. Many baulk at the price-tag for this entry-level 10 year old expression, but on tasting few go back and feel they’ve been overcharged. Subtly constructed and quite complex.… Continue reading

    Ardbeg 10 Years Old

  • SMWS 85.26 Fragrant perfumes and deeper resonances

    Glen Elgin 28 Years Old 1985 85.26 Fragrant perfumes and deeper resonances (44.5%, SMWS, Refill HH, 186 Bottles, 2013) Speyside single malt scotch whisky 44.5% ABV, £91.90 Score: 92/100 What they say: Cask No. 85.26  Fragrantly perfumed, but with deeper… Continue reading

    SMWS 85.26 Fragrant perfumes and deeper resonances

  • SMWS 112.9 Cooper’s apron; perfumed mink

    Inchmurrin 14 Years Old 2000 112.9 Cooper’s apron; perfumed mink (58.3%, SMWS, Refill Barrel, 204 Bottles, 2015) Highland single malt scotch whisky 58.3% ABV, £53 buy from SMWS Score: 90/100 What they say: Cask No. 112.9 The nose had a bit… Continue reading

    SMWS 112.9 Cooper’s apron; perfumed mink

  • SMWS 77.36 Easy peasy lemon squeezy

    Glen Ord 13 Years Old 2001 77.36 Easy peasy lemon squeezy (59.3%, SMWS, Refill HH, 267 Bottles, 2014) Highland single malt scotch whisky 59.3% ABV, £46 Score: 86/100 What they say: Cask 77.36 Colour: Fading dusk Flavour: Spicy & sweet… Continue reading

    SMWS 77.36 Easy peasy lemon squeezy