Lots of old wood and fruit influence as you’d expect for its age and ex-red wine cask, hints of eucalyptus in places but overall a superb woody old whisky! 85/100
Willowbank 18 Years Old Batch 2
Jura 18 Years Old
On paper this expression is full of great flavours but I found myself really looking for anything representative of its age. Perhaps a slightly more subdued smoke and some earthier woody spices. I feel like this one is still getting there… 84/100
Aberfeldy 18 Years Old Cote Rotie
On the nose the French oak predominates an already sweet and fruity whisky. On the palate red berries add to that honey and vanilla and results in a real dessert-like whisky. More jammy than the 12 year old the official note of Eton Mess fits the bill here. Delightful. 86/100
Glenfiddich 18 Years Old
Classic Glenfiddich full of orchard fruits, rich and slightly more reserved/mature thanks to the extra ageing. Balanced to perfection.
Glenlossie 18 Years Old 1993 Old Malt Cask
A sturdy malt with plenty of cereal character and fruit abounds, bordering on tropicality. Balanced by the presence of dry white oak. 86/100
Bowmore 18 Years Old
Rich and smooth like good dark chocolate, subtle peaty and coastal elements mix with plenty of wood influence here. 88/100
Caperdonich 18 Years Old 2002 The Distillery Reserve Collection
A superb expression that balances both spirit and wood influences, full of tropical fruit. 88/100
Arran 18 Years Old 1996 Single Cask 777
Another characteristically fruity Arran dram, still quite spicy and perhaps a little less sweet and vanillic most likely due to the use of a refill hogshead for maturation here. 84/100
Craigellachie 18 Years Old 1995 Old Malt Cask
Craigellachie 18 Years Old 1995 Old Malt Cask Whisky Review: A well-sherried Craigellachie which still retains a little of that meaty sulphur and citrus peel spirit nature too, as a lover of heavily-sherried malts this one appealed to more than just my eye. 84/100
Knockando 18 Years Old 1998
Knockando 18 Years Old 1998 Whisky Review: Much fresher and zestier then the 1994 expression, much more barley influence is discernible here and a much better balance is struck because of it. Plenty of chocolate and orange notes combine well and are prevented from becoming too heavy/cloying by a grapefruit zest freshness. 86/100
The Whiskyphiles 