Single malt
-
Ailsa Bay Batch 1
Well balanced, sweet and peaty (a lot like Kilchoman) but more approachable/accessible, there is not that depth of phenolic and salty Islay peat here as there can be in Kilchoman. This is a well manufactured malt and I really enjoyed… Continue reading
-
Kininvie 17 Years Old 1996 Batch 1
Like Monkey Shoulder with the good bits taken out, there is something really quite disappointing about this expression and I think it is complete lack of character. Even the attempted cask maturation to create balance has just rendered this a… Continue reading
-
The Arran Circle Limited Edition
An interesting young(ish) bourbon cask from Arran, drinkable and plenty of character, this reminds me a little of the Lochranza Reserve official bottling lacking only the sherry-influence that receives from its mixed cask heritage 83/100 Continue reading
-
Benriach 42 Year Old 1971 Single Cask
An interesting expression but perhaps a little over-oaked. A nice depth of fruits can be found but there is a lot of oak wood and herbality to it that for me didn’t complement the fruit but rather overshadowed the sweeter… Continue reading
-
Glenfarclas 40 Years Old
Slightly over-oaked and verging on the extreme side of chocolate even for a chocaholic like myself. Gone were the honeyed notes and zestiness of the oranges and in come coffee grounds and the herbality of advanced oak wood ageing. Still… Continue reading
-
Glenfarclas 30 Years Old
As a sherry-fan (and even sherry-bomb fan) I have to admit this comes pretty close to perfection. Wickedly indulgent in flavours and beautifully presented I find it difficult to find flaw in this expression. Easy to see how this won… Continue reading
-
Glenfarclas 25 Years Old
Starting with the 25 year old I noticed a pronounced aged/oaky wood character over say the 15 or 17 year old versions (though perhaps not the 21 – I may need to revisit). A beautiful creamy milk chocolate was the… Continue reading
-
Glen Ord 12 Years Old
Glen Ord 12 Years Old (43%, OB, 1990’s) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin Glen Ord Distillery Bottling: Official – Diageo ABV: 43% Cost: £79.95 What they say: An exuberantly spicy malt, with plenty of sherry influence, Glen Ord is… Continue reading
-
Deanston 11 Years Old 2004 Amontillado Cask Finish
Deanston 11 Years Old 2004 Distillery Exclusive (60.1%, OB, Amontillado Cask Finish, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Deanston Distillery Bottling: Official: Distell – Distillery Fill your own ABV: 60.1% Cost: £80 Score: 85/100 What they say: The third… Continue reading
-
Benromach 35 Years Old
This expression is still surprisingly fresh considering its age. There is a depth of wood and fruit here belying its long time in a first fill sherry cask yet the orange oil tastes like it is fresh out of the… Continue reading
The Whiskyphiles 