Glenlivet 2002 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength whisky review: An intense Glenlivet, masses of 1st fill bourbon influences up front but these gently peel away in layers revealing the fruity and grassy Glenlivet spirit character underneath. The whole experience is quite marvellous. It’s a pleasant surprise to be reminded why Glenlivet has the reputation it does once in a while. 87/100
Dailuaine 15 Years Old Batch 2 (That Boutique-Y Whisky Company) whisky review: Pleasing and fairly full in the palate, almost a meal in a glass – if that meal is pancakes for breakfast. A great example of a Dailuaine with very little sherry influence, I suspect refill ex-bourbon barrels here, presenting something a little different from more standard or official offerings. 86/100
The GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival whisky review: A classic GlenDronach on the nose but quite bitter on the palate with influences of pine, coffee, grinds plenty of tannins and woody spice. I don’t know why but I am increasingly under the impression that much more PX cask usage is shifting the balance away from Oloroso sweet and fruity influences. Looking back I have scored this 15 marginally higher than the last. 85/100
Highland Park 2003 Post-Octave whisky review: Having taken an already superb whisky and finished it for presumably only a short period (of all the samples this appeared to have the least difference/increase in colour), sadly there is too much spice on the initial palate for me and I struggled to decide whether I liked this one more or less than the Pre-Octave sample. I guess I was hoping for more here which didn’t come but this is still undeniably a good whisky. 87/100
Highland Park 2003 Pre-Octave whisky review: A simply beautiful Highland Park expression, the bourbon cask has imparted a delicious sweet creamy vanilla to counter the herbal smoke, surprisingly I didn’t pick out much malt but it is there all along adding a lovely weight to this dram. A purists dream this one. 87/100
SMWS 93.94 The final trawl whisky review: Yes! A fantastic Campbeltown malt whisky, slightly oily and fishy just as they should be. I loved this one and thought it was going to be my favourite of the tasting. 87/100
Oban 2001 Distillers Edition Highland single malt Scotch whisky review: I enjoyed this a little bit more than the last DE sampled (1998-2013), this had a sharpness or clarity throughout and the cleanliness of white grape with a touch of salt which added to the overall more pleasing presentation of this vintage. 83/100
Old Pulteney 15 Years Old whisky review: Very smooth but in a good way – palate-coating with great texture, rather than flavour-less, there is caramel, toffee and malt aplenty throughout. I had hoped for more of a sherry influence here, darker fruits, nut or chocolate – all of which I love. Rather this is more of a deep fruit and spice type dram but with a sweetness that suggests all sorts of different desserts. One for the sweet-toothed perhaps? 84/100
Secret Distillery #2 15 Years Old single malt Scotch whisky review: Initially quite tannic and woody but with a huge body, once it has opened up there is plenty of juicy sweetness tempered by delicate spices. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Tawny Port matured or finished Glenmorangie. 85/100
Unusual and interesting flavours, love that inkiness that can only have come from the wine cask. Lots of citron/citrus fruit elements too where the wine and whisky have really worked together. 87/100
