A cleaner expression which is still remarkably fruity with tonnes of apples and pears across the nose and palate. 84/100
Spey Trutina
Spey Chairman’s Choice
A very easy drinker, has some nice complexity with a backdrop of Spey’s light spirit. Full of plenty of fresh fruits tempered by oak wood maturation. 84/100
Glenallachie 14 Years Old Oloroso UK Exclusive
An absolute and utter Sherry Bomb! A mixture of Christmas cake, espresso coffee and nutty chocolate served to perfection. With an evocative nose of Christmases past and full-on sherry drenched palate, even better despite being perfectly drinkable as presented it also waters well if you desire. 88/100
Glenallachie 13 Years Old Rioja
Similar influences to the Super-Tuscan Grattamacco 11yo but very different bias and intensities generated something a whole lot more integrated and delicious. In particular the roasted nut and chocolate are very welcome additions to my palate which really appreciated the increased gravitas here. 86/100
Glenallachie 11 Years Old Grattamacco
A fruity and zesty expression with plenty of spice, long lasting and takes water well which really softened the palate here and improved things slightly for me. 84/100
Tamdhu Batch Strength 4
Spicy, spirity and perhaps a touch youthful. Develops some lovely flavours but I couldn’t help but think this was markedly youinger than previous versions I had tried. Perhaps the strength, spice and metallic nature just took the shine off this one a little for me? 83/100
Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke
A delicious experience of dry and sweet from the combination of peated malt and sherry casks. Still quite a lot of minerality and salinity which had me viewing this as not your ‘usual’ Benromach. 85/100
Aberlour 16 Years Old 2003 Distillery Reserve Collection
A little tannic and spicy at cask strength but water’s well. Throughout despite heavy sherry cask influence there was a constant note of fresh and waxed red apples, a superbly sherried Aberlour.
Glen Grant 10 Years Old
Again light, fresh and zesty with a touch of florality, this aged expression seems much more mealy with cereal and husk notes, another very well presented single malt from Glen Grant.
Glen Grant The Major’s Reserve
Light, creamy and buttery, full of fresh apples, lemon, vanilla and hazelnut – does exactly what it says on the tin. A delicious light Speyside single malt at a bargain price.
The Whiskyphiles 