Approachable rye whisky, touches of spice and earth from the Rye grains but plenty of sweet vanilla and oak wood influence too, quite enjoyable. 84/100
Ezra Brooks Straight Rye Whiskey (45%, OB, 2020)
Rebel Yell Cognac Cask Finish (45%, OB, 2020)
Slightly spiced and dessert-like Bourbon, the cognac cask finish has subdued some of the sweetness and given a richer, woodier and slightly festive spice feel to this one. 85/100
Strathisla 18 Years Old 1997 (45%, Samaroli, Virgin Oak Cask #47821, 294 Bottles, 2015)
Strathisla 18 Years Old 1997 Samaroli Whisky Review: Super fruity, delicate and floral, I would never have guessed a virgin oak cask. 89/100
Strathclyde 31 Years Old Batch 4 (45%, That Boutique-Y Whisky Company, 2019)
Strathclyde 31 Years Old Batch 4 Whisky Review: Sweet and delicious – a well aged vanilla-filled grain whisky. 86/100
Tamnavulin 18 Years Old 2000 Vintage (45%, OB, 2019)
Tamnavulin 18 Years Old 2000 Vintage whisky review: A good mix of gentle and sweet Speyside character with heavy sherry maturation, in a similar vein to Aberlour or Macallan outputs. This is a great expression from a relatively sparse offering of official bottlings from Tamnavulin. 85/100
Longmorn 57 Years Old 1961 Cask #508 (45%, Gordon & MacPhail, 97 Bottles, 2018)
Longmorn 57 Years Old 1961 Cask #508 whisky review: Great nose, and a wonderful experience to try such an old Longmorn, but, the contrast between the nose and palate is too great. Far too over-oaked for my palate, too spicy, bitter and harsh. Masses of or practically liquid/distilled European Oak wood didn’t make for a pleasurable drinking experience. Water made it more spicy and tannic, something this whisky didn’t lack. A lesson in wood. 63/100
Famille Dupont Calvados Pays d’Auge Cask Finish Collection No.1 Islay Whisky Cask (45%, OB, 2018)
Famille Dupont Calvados Pays d’Auge Cask Finish Collection No.1 Islay Whisky Cask review: A fantastic mixture of rich, fruity apple Calvados and coastal, oily and peaty Islay whisky that works really well. 90/100
Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (45%, OB, 2017)
Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey Review: Slightly less complex than Bourbon, this wheat based whiskey has a softer, sweet and slightly spiced nature. Quite tasty and nutty with cereal elements add a bakery style / sweetie shop mixture. Very pleasant. 83/100
Havana Club Cuban Barrel Proof ~ 45% (Havana Club)
A little tart and spicy initially but the sweetness prevails and the whole becomes quite moreish. 87/100
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye (45%, OB, 2017)
A deliciously sweet and polished expression, a lot smoother with that distinctive feel on the palate that comes from charcoal filtration, quite in-spicy for a rye expression, full of cinnamon dusted pastries and ripe fruits. 84/100
