The Whiskyphiles

Scotch whisky

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

  • Highland Park 2003 Pre-Octave

    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… Continue reading

    Highland Park 2003 Pre-Octave

  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave

    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 Continue reading

    Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave

  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Pre-Octave

    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.… Continue reading

    Bunnahabhain 2008 Pre-Octave

  • Macduff 2007 Post-Octave

    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 Continue reading

    Macduff 2007 Post-Octave

  • Macduff 2007 Pre-Octave

    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 Continue reading

    Macduff 2007 Pre-Octave

  • Miltonduff 2008 Post-Octave

    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… Continue reading

    Miltonduff 2008 Post-Octave

  • Miltonduff 2008 Pre-Octave

    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… Continue reading

    Miltonduff 2008 Pre-Octave

  • Caol Ila 2004 Distillers Edition

    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… Continue reading

    Caol Ila 2004 Distillers Edition

  • Caol Ila 2003 Distillers Edition

    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 Continue reading

    Caol Ila 2003 Distillers Edition

  • Grant’s Triple Wood Smoky

    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… Continue reading

    Grant’s Triple Wood Smoky