Lagavulin 8 Years Old 200th Anniversary Limited Edition (48%, OB, 2016)

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Lagavulin 8 Years Old 200th Anniversary Limited Edition whisky review: It has taken me some time to finally get on board with this expression. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed but whenever I sat to formulate some notes I seem to get stuck after the nose and hard to ascribe anything in particular. Perhaps sampling this side-by-side with the 9yo GOT edition really highlighted the differences. There is a freshness in here quite unlike anything else I have sampled from Lagavulin, perhaps it is New Make (I have some somewhere to test this theory) or I am more inclined to think it is the result of underactive (3rd/4th fill casks)? 85/100

House Lannister Lagavulin 9 Years Old (48%, OB, 2019)

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House Lannister Lagavulin 9 Years Old whisky review: Much more of a classic Lagavulin than I found the 8 Year Old anniversary edition. Sweet and meaty with a dusty smoke, a nice bitterness to it that presents as chocolate. I suspect the colour is e150 – confirmed by the packaging. Compared to the 8 Year Old I suspect a few more refill barrels or older barrels have gone into this mix to shift the flavour-profile in a very positive way more towards the distillery character. Quite moreish. I like this a lot more than I like Lannister’s – except Tyrion – I like this just as much as Tyrion. 86/100

Clynelish Distillery Exclusive Bottling (48%, OB, Bourbon Casks, 6000 Bottles, 2017)

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Clynelish Distillery Exclusive Bottling whisky review: From the colour and flavours present I suspect a healthy amount of refill ex-bourbon casks went into this vatting, surprisingly it really doesn’t feel that youthful and could easily pass a comparison with the 14 year old. A little less waxy than I am used to from Clynelish, or perhaps it is the absence of flavours carried within it. A suspect this is a bit of Clynelish purists whisky and I am maybe under-appreciating it. Flawless but not really ticking my boxes regards flavour profile. 85/100

House Targaryen Cardhu Gold Reserve (40%, OB, 2019)

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House Targaryen Cardhu Gold Reserve whisky review: It has been some time since I last tried Cardhu’s Gold Reserve and I can’t help but feeling it has either improved slightly or my ability to appreciate it has grown. Billed as very approachable, it is hard to argue with that, although this one seems a little spicier in the tail. Good solid stuff and perhaps more than a little of Diageo’s well-meaning intentions branding Cardhu against one of the major protagonist houses. Daenerys seems to have gone from villain to hero and back again during the story and we are yet to find out if she will be triumphant in the end. My feelings for Cardhu have never been that strong, but dependable is my best assertation. 74/100

MacNair’s Lum Reek Peated 21 Years Old (48%, OB, 2018)

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MacNair’s Lum Reek Peated 21 Year Old blended malt whisky review: A deliciously well-aged blend, just enough peat smoke to make me think of older style single malts and also robust but subtle or rather soft sherry influences too – well integrated and comfortable. I suspect this blend has been constructed to reminisce some older Speyside examples when peat smoke and sherry maturation were the norm. Works beautifully. 89/100

Scotch whisky »

The GlenDronach 27 Years Old Grandeur (50.1%, OB, Batch 10, 2293 Bottles, 2018)

The GlenDronach 25 Years Old 1993 Master Vintage (48.2%, OB, 2019)

Lagavulin 2001 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, lgv.4/506, 2017)

Lagavulin 2000 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, lgv.4/505, 2016)

Lagavulin 1999 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, lgv.4/504, 2015)

Irish whiskey »

Irish Single Malt 13 Years Old Batch #3 (46.8%, That Boutique-Y Whisky Company, 2018)

Redbreast 32 Years Old 1985 Dream Cask (46.5%, OB, Oloroso Cask #41207, 816 Bottles, 2018)

Redbreast 12 Years Old (40%, OB, 2017)

Tullamore D.E.W. 18 Years Old Single Malt (41.3%, OB, 2018)

Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Years Old Single Malt (41.3%, OB, 2018)

Japanese whisky »

Eigashima 2011 The Kikou-Ki Series (58.4%, Dekanta, Port Ellen Cask #11055, 300 bottles, 2018)

Yamazakura 963 21 Years Old (58%, OB, 2018)

Nikka Pure Malt Black (43%, OB, 2016)

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel (51.4%, OB, 2016)

Miyagikyo 10 Years Old (45%, OB, 2017)

US Whiskey »

FEW Single Malt Whisky (46.5%, OB, 2018)

FEW Bourbon (46.5%, OB, 2018)

Balcones Texas single malt “1” Classic Edition (53%, OB, 2018)

Smooth Ambler Contradiction (50%, OB, 2018)

Widow Jane 10 Years Old Single Barrel (45.5%, Widow Jane, Barrel #1791, 2018)

World Whisky »

Kavalan Classic Single Malt (40%, OB, 2018)

Brenne Cuvee Speciale (40%, OB, 2018)

The ONE Port Edition Prototype Cask Strength (60.2%, OB, 2018)

The ONE Sherry Limited Edition (46.6%, OB, 5500 Bottles, 2018)

London Single Malt Spirit Port 2 Years Old (62.5%, OB, Port Cask #39, 2018)