Single malt

  • 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
  • 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
  • SMWS 93.94 The final trawl

    SMWS 93.94 The final trawl whisky review: Yes! A fantastic Campbeltown malt whisky, slightly oily and fishy just as they should be. I loved this one and thought it was going to be my favourite of the tasting. 87/100 Continue reading

    SMWS 93.94 The final trawl
  • SMWS 135.6 Cones versus crones

    SMWS 135.6 Cones versus crones whisky review: An intriguing dram this one, with a nose full of fresh vanilla and a palate of pure crazy in comparison. I actually rather liked this one, maybe a ot more than I should… Continue reading

    SMWS 135.6 Cones versus crones