Paul John 6 Years Old Batch #3 Whisky Review: Quite intense and occasionally a little harsh on the palate with the peat influence, however massess of creamy vanilla and rich chocolate work wonders here too! 85/100
Bain’s 15 Years Old Founders Collection Whisky Review: A touch spicy, unsurprising due to the hot climate and cask activity in South Africa, and light-bodied and slightly spirity in character driven by the core grain spirit, though these are small prices to pay in what tastes and feels a lot older than its 15 years. Huge cask maturation influence in here would convince you this is twice its age! 87/100
The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2 whisky review: More of the same! The 1st edition was a very drinkable (albeit with a little water required) expression and this follows much in the same vein. Enticingly and subtly different, reflective of the cask used in its construction but to the same high standard and quality. 83/100
The One Port Cask Finish whisky review: Sweet and smoky but with a rather odd rubbery and metallic edge to it, reminds me of some of the more unusual Tobermory offerings from e.g. SMWS and although not displeasing it isn’t really ticking the right boxes for me. I like my port-finishes to ooze jammy sweetness, this is much more reserved than that in an attempt to preserve the blend profile – I wish it had gone a little further. 80/100
The One Signature Blend whisky review: A great blend and definite improvement in flavour profile for me, the work on this from Dhavall and the Lakes Distillery really is starting to show here. 84/100
The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1 whisky review: I found this a little hot and spirity at cask strength (as presented 60.6% ABV) but this expression takes water well and reveals a robust malty body. Some great flavours developing here but perhaps a little too woody and tannic with associated spice for me, hopefully this will calm with age and so the Lakes single malt is definitely one to watch out for in the future. 83/100
Cotswolds 3 Years Old Batch #1 whisky review: A very fresh expression, spicy, woody and tannic, a lovely zingy fruit sweetness. Young and sharp and a little too woody but shows great promise for what is being produced at the Cotswolds distillery, I’d certainly like to try more. 73/100
Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky Review: Very pleasant but rather light in places, fades as an experience, i.e. nose>palate>finish, still a great base whisky with which Kavalan have done wonders with. 82/100
Brenne Cuvee Speciale whisky review: I quite like this one, something very different from classic Scotch single malts. Definitely on the sweeter side and very perfumed, but I couldn’t get over my love of classic bubblegums which this reminded me of, and also cinnamon schnapps (which I’d rather not be reminded of!) something in the spirit quality maybe? Overall quite a different experience. 81/100
The One Port Prototype Cask Strength whisky review: Definitely benefiting from delivery strength, this Port finish expression is dangerously drinkable at 60.2% ABV, With such and intensity of flavour you could almost be mistaken that this has spent some time around PX-sherry apart from the telltale jammy fruits, very much plum, damson and cranberry and of course that awesome Crimson colour! 86/100
