The Whiskyphiles

World Whisky

  • Writers Tears Japanese Cask

    Not as favoured as the sweeter Icewine cask, this had a slighty more savoury and dare I say Umami feel about it following the Mizunara oak finish. More elegant in presentation and worthwhile spending longer with this one, this is… Continue reading

  • Writers Tears Inniskillen Icewine Cask

    more floral, fruity and fragrant expression and some great herbal influences in here too. Stone fruits play the lead here with some tropical nature later. 85/100 Continue reading

  • Writers Tears Single Pot Still

    A more complex expression thanks both to the use of only triple-distilled single pot still style whisky and the cask maturation combination. More developed flavours are presented from the PX and Marsala casks. 83/100 Continue reading

  • Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey

    A fairly basic and very pleasant blended Irish whiskey. There are hints of youth and some solventy spirit nature, triple distilled for smoothness and bourbon matured there’s not much to hide behind and this does develop some interesting & more… Continue reading

  • Apogee XII 12 Years Old

    Intense, some slightly vaporous and very spicy and tannic nature. Lacks a little structure and body for me and I needed a little water to tame the spice and tannins to make this enjoyable, personally I’m hoping this breathes a… Continue reading

  • Black Gate 3 Years Old Batch 2

    Luscious, thick and voluminous on the palate, some odd rummy and woody dunnage warehouse feel and plenty of spices. Adding water moves the spice more into the finish, plenty of thick black fruits and sugars throughout. 85/100 Continue reading

  • 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 Continue reading

  • Hinch Craft & Casks Imperial Stout Finish

    My favourite from the tasting. The Imperial Stout casks have generated not only chocolate and coffee notes but also fruit and some herbal notes too. 84/100 Continue reading

  • Hinch Craft & Casks Rye Export Stout Finish

    Another interesting and very different beer-cask finish from Hinch. The Rye Export Stout has imbued some earthy dark chocolate and coffee notes. 82/100 Continue reading

  • Hinch Craft & Casks Irish Red Rye Finish

    Another interesting and very different beer-cask finish from Hinch. The Red Rye casks introduce some zesty and spicy elements but also highlight plenty of cereal nature of the base blend. 83/100 Continue reading