The Whiskyphiles

Single malt

  • Benrinnes 18 Years Old 1997 Provenance

    Benrinnes 18 Years Old 1997 Provenance (46%, Douglas McGibbon, Sherry Butt #6506, 2010) 46% ABV, £54.95 for 70cl Score: 87/100 What they say: A single cask bottling of Benrinnes by highly regarded independent bottlers Douglas Laing. “Opens spicy and sweetly… Continue reading

    Benrinnes 18 Years Old 1997 Provenance

  • Imperial 18 Years Old 1995 The Un-Chillfiltered Collection

    Imperial 18 Years Old 1995 The Un-Chillfiltered Collection (46%, Signatory, HHs #50284 & 50285, 711 Bottles, 2014) 46% ABV, £41.95 Score: 85/100 What they say: A bit about the bottler Signatory Vintage are an independent bottler founded in 1988 by… Continue reading

    Imperial 18 Years Old 1995 The Un-Chillfiltered Collection

  • Aberfeldy 26 Years Old 1988 Single Cask

    Possibly one of the best drams we have tasted. There is a lot to be said about the ambiance and tasting of whisky in a traditional dunnage warehouse straight from the cask. Presumably this is how a lot of master… Continue reading

    Aberfeldy 26 Years Old 1988 Single Cask

  • 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

    SMWS 3.225 Galleon attacked by pirates

  • Glenlossie 18 Years Old 1995 Connoisseurs Choice

    Glenlossie 18 Years Old 1995 Connoisseurs Choice 46% (Gordon & MacPhail) 46% ABV, £39.95 Score: 90/100 What they say: Glenlossie Distillery is sited, not far from Elgin, nestling under the cover of a fir clad hill. Its site enables the… Continue reading

    Glenlossie 18 Years Old 1995 Connoisseurs Choice

  • 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

    Caol Ila 17 Years Old 1996 Old Malt Cask

  • 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

    SMWS 53.178 A pebble beach with iodine

  • SMWS 66.60 Caribbean wedding on the beach

    urprised to find this was from Ardmore and is lightly peated. There was a dry/dusty note throughout that should have have given me the heads-up on the peaty influence but it is very subtle and well-incorporated. I was too taken… Continue reading

    SMWS 66.60 Caribbean wedding on the beach

  • SMWS 73.66 Toffee and humbugs in a tea chest

    Aultmore 24 Years Old 1989 73.66 Toffee and humbugs in a tea chest (57%, SMWS, Refill Sherry Butt, 454 Bottles, 2014) 57% ABV, £92 for 70cl Score: 74/100 What they say: We found something intriguing and attractive about the nose… Continue reading

    SMWS 73.66 Toffee and humbugs in a tea chest

  • SMWS 35.116 Menthol cool meets chilli heat

    Glen Moray 17 Years Old 1996 35.116 Menthol cool meets chilli heat (55.7%, SMWS, 1st Fill Designer Barrel, 211 Bottles, 2014) 55.7% ABV, £53.90 for 70cl Score: 60/100 What they say: The nose seemed cool and crisp – waxy polished… Continue reading

    SMWS 35.116 Menthol cool meets chilli heat