The Whiskyphiles

83 points

  • Tullibardine 500

    My favourite of the tasting – I guess no surprises there! I guess like the whole range I felt this was a bit safe and unchallenging. I’d prefer a bit more strength or depth to some of the finishing flavours… Continue reading

  • Cu Bocan Signature

    A soft and accessible as befitting a peated Tomatin. A touch woody in places from the Virgin Oak casks perhaps but well constructed with an array of flavours complimenting this soft Highland Malt with a smoky edge. 83/100 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

  • 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

  • J.G. Thomson Sweet

    A sweet blended malt with plenty of fruit and also quite defined oak cask influence. 83/100 Continue reading

  • Cambus 23 Years Old 1991 Cask 55890

    A well aged grain, quite solventy and woody but also plenty of sugars and fruit apparent in the spirit. 83/100 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 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

  • Balblair 7 Years Old Batch 1

    Entertaining, nice sweet and herbal quality, very volatile in the glass, phenolic – that touch of peat is very present and prominent. Green fruits and waxy pine and herb leaves. 83/100 Continue reading

  • MacNair’s Lum Reek Peated 12 Years Old

    Solid. A touch non-descript in places though I often find with blends it can be hard to discern distinct taste notes. A good mixture of sweet and peat without resorting to too much ‘cask’ influences. 83/100 Continue reading