The Whiskyphiles

Islay

  • Bunnahabhain 20 Years Old 1997 Palo Cortado Finish

    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… Continue reading

  • Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old 2008 Mòine

    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… Continue reading

  • Caol Ila 2008 Post-Octave

    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.… Continue reading

    Caol Ila 2008 Post-Octave

  • Caol Ila 2008 Pre-Octave

    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… Continue reading

    Caol Ila 2008 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

  • 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

  • SMWS 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery

    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… Continue reading

    SMWS 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery

  • Williamson 6 Years Old 2011 Single Cask

    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… Continue reading

    Williamson 6 Years Old 2011 Single Cask