Complex with plenty of wood influence but also fruity, spicy and chocolate notes abound. Lifted by presentation at 50% ABV this has much more depth and presence than the heritage collection. 86/100
Westland Garryana 2020
Westland Peated
My favourite of the Heritage range expressions which have grown slowly over the range. Plenty of peat influence and smoke but also some estery fruits which complement well. 84/100
Westland Sherry Wood
Plenty of fruit and spice delivered from the sherry wood, perhaps a touch medicated tasting with cherry cough drops. European oak wood flavours dominate the palate. 83/100
Westland American Oak
Oak heavy and perhaps a touch bourbon-esque in terms of wood influence with an added cereal depth from the malt. Ginger and orange predominate, a classic taste combination but with added complexity from both spirit and wood. Yes easily the equal of scotch single malt but with it’s own unique Westland or North-Pacific DNA very present here. 82/100
James E. Pepper 4 Years Old Rye Batch 3
Quite spicy Rye as you’d expect but also a nice cake-y sweet & malty feel to it, I was surprised to discover this was ale-cask finished after tasting it – so very well integrated cask-finish here. 83/100
Wilderness Trail Cask Strength Rye
Incredibly drinkable as presented, not too spicy but full of woody herbal notes and sweet toffee, possibly the best Rye whiskey I have ever tasted! 88/100
Rebel 100 Bourbon
Accomplished and unchallenging, smooth and creamy throughout and a nice addition of chocolate makes this one a real nice sipper. 83/100
Ezra Brooks 99 Bourbon
Lighter than I had hoped on the nose and palate but very pleasant, comes into it’s own later with some deeper and darker wood-derived flavours. 82/100
Yellowstone Select Bourbon
Great nose and palate, not overly complex but enough wood and spice present to balance out the natural sweetness thanks to the rye inclusion. An accomplished entry-level bourbon.
Jim Beam Single Barrel
Intriguing on the nose but rather too spiced on the palate for my liking, thankfully not overtly sweet. 82/100
The Whiskyphiles 