The Whiskyphiles

88 points

  • Octomore 10.2

    Sweeter and smokier than 10.1 and a nice addition of both tropical and stone fruits, I don’t think I’d have picked out the Sauternes influence here but in my defence Octomore’s are pretty robust spirit to begin with! 88/100 Continue reading

  • Wilderness Trail Cask Strength Rye

    Incredibly drinkable as presented, not too spicy but full of woody herbal notes and sweet toffee, possibly the best Rye whiskey I have ever tasted! 88/100 Continue reading

  • Glenallachie 14 Years Old Oloroso UK Exclusive

    An absolute and utter Sherry Bomb! A mixture of Christmas cake, espresso coffee and nutty chocolate served to perfection. With an evocative nose of Christmases past and full-on sherry drenched palate, even better despite being perfectly drinkable as presented it… Continue reading

  • Fettercairn 22 Years Old 1995 Cask 2809 (Samaroli)

    A simply delicious Fettercairn, stated as a cask selected by Samaroli but had me wondering if this was one they had matured themselves in Virgin oak? Floral and fruity and plenty of New Make Spirit characteristics made this distinctly Fettercairn… Continue reading

  • Port Charlotte PAC: 01 2011

    Bold, earthy and chewy peat, lots of sweet malt and plenty of fruit from the casks. With an abundance of French oak tannins and wine influence this reminded me a lot of Ardbeg’s Corryvreckan expression, however the peat here seems… Continue reading

  • Coal Ila 12 Years Old Feis Ile 2021

    Delicious sweet and char notes plus some extra fruits from the Moscatel wine cask boost classic Coal Ila sweet smoke flavours. Rich with plenty of depth and stewed and dried fruits. Continue reading

  • Bruichladdich Origins

    A rather complex and full expression encompassing all of Bruichladdich from rich cereal barley, through a veritable cocktail of fruit with a small wine-tour intermission including warehouses full of oak casks and ending with that characteristic sea spray. A great… Continue reading

  • Bruichladdich Feis Ile 2021 Masterclass 6

    Having been filled into the cask at 84%+ ABV this has had much more of a cask/cask char extract effect rather than mellowing/maturation. That said this whisky is still remarkably smooth at 69.3% ABV! Continue reading

  • 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 Continue reading

  • Paul John Christmas Edition 2020

    Sweet and softly peated, I already suspected a mixture of peated & unpeated casks used in the mixture here similar to some of Paul John’s standard range, strikes a really lovely balance between sweet & peat. 88/100 Continue reading

    Paul John Christmas Edition 2020