Islay
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Port Charlotte PC11 EORNA NA H-ALBA
Port Charlotte PC11 EORNA NA H-ALBA Heavily Peated (59.5%, OB, 2014) 59.5% ABV £150 for 70cl Score: 88/100 What they say: This seventh annual release in our Port Charlotte PC series encounters this heavily peated spirit eleven years into its… Continue reading
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Octomore 6.1
Octomore 06.1/167ppm Scottish Barley (57%, OB, 2014) 57% ABV, £90 for 70cl Score: 90/100 What they say: The world’s most heavily peated whisky, this is the sixth edition of the uber-experimental cult Octomore. Titanic amounts of peat but with a… Continue reading
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Bruichladdich Cuvée 382 La Berenice
Bruichladdich Cuvee 382 La Berenice MG41 [L’Age d’Or] (46%, OB, Sauternes/Barsac Cask, 2012) 46% ABV, £100 for 70cl Score: 89/100 What they say: This American-oak-aged Bruichladdich has been further matured in casks that previously contained the lush sweet white wines… Continue reading
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Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley (50%, OB, 2014) 50% ABV, £40 for 70cl What they say: This single malt Scotch whisky has been crafted by master distiller Jim McEwan from individually selected casks to showcase the classic, floral and… Continue reading
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Bowmore 13 Years Old 2001 Authentic Collection
Bowmore 13 Years Old 2001 Authentic Collection (56.6%, Cadenheads, Bourbon HH, 270 Bottles, 2014) 56.6% ABV, £51.90 Score: 79/100 What they say: Distilled at Bowmore Distillery in 2001 and matured in a bourbon hogshead for 13 years before bottling in… Continue reading
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Port Charlotte Scottish Barley
Port Charlotte Scottish Barley (50%, OB, 2014) 50% ABV, £44.95 for 70cl available at Royal Mile Whiskies (here) Score: 88/100 What they say: Pronounced “brook-laddie,” Bruichladdich sits close to Port Charlotte on Islay. Apart from a break in the 1920’s and… Continue reading
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Finlaggan Islay Malt
Finlaggan Islay Malt (Vintage Malt Whisky Co.) 40% ABV, £23.95 Score: 82/100 What they say: Finlaggan is very much the SECRET Islay, as the name of the distillery from which it comes is a closely guarded secret and known to only… Continue reading
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SMWS 3.225 Galleon attacked by pirates
Bowmore 16 Years Old 1997 3.225 Galleon attacked by pirates (57.2%, SMWS, Refill Sherry Butt, 617 Bottles, 2014) 57.2% ABV, £60 for 70cl What they say: The nose, with its delicate smoke, charred wood, tarry rope, sea-spray, cigars , coffee,… Continue reading
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Caol Ila 17 Years Old 1996 Old Malt Cask
Caol Ila 17 Years Old 1996 Old Malt Cask (50%, Hunter Laing, Refill HH #10123, 324 Bottles, 2013) 50% ABV, £80 for 70cl Score: 85/100 What they say: A 1996 vintage Caol Ila from independent bottlers Hunter Laing as part… Continue reading
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SMWS 53.178 A pebble beach with iodine
Caol Ila 20 Years Old 1992 53.178 A pebble beach with iodine (55.8%, SMWS, 281 Bottles, 2013) 55.8% ABV, £68 for 70cl Score: 80/100 What they say: The distillery overlooks the Sound of Islay and this example of its make… Continue reading
The Whiskyphiles 