A spicy rye expression with some really wild flavours but quite enjoyable once it relaxes in the glass a little. 83/100
Kyrö 4 Year Old Batch 1
HighGlen 3 Years Old Batch 1
Quite delicate nose and palate on this expression, biscuity and lemon-infused with the addition of ginger and thyme in places. Quite dessert-like and syrupy. Surprised this doesn’t feel like it is only 3 years old this one is more mature than its years. 85/100
Broger 6 Years Old Batch 1
Oddly solventy, but past that this was really quite interesting and it took some time before I realised the underlying Rauchbier similarity and connection (I do like a rauchbier!) 85/100
Fary Lochan 6 Years Old Batch 1
Powerful at cask strength, the PX cask has worked wonders here with lots of dried fruit, nut and fruit cake however a little of the malt spirit comes through and some menthol/ herbal smoke appears in the finish. Plenty of wood influence when reduced. 86/100
Eddu 14 Years Old Batch 1
Delicious, redolent of cereal and husks from the Buckwheat this also has some sweet and mineralic nature, perhaps a trace of something metallic later on but doesn’t detract. 87/100
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
Whitlaw 15 Years Old Batch 1
Yum, classic HP, very light initially. This one is all about the subtleties, wisps of heathery smoke and a sprinkle of smoked sea salt crystals! 85/100
Starward 3 Years Old Batch 1
Massively chewy and woody and with plenty of spices and tannins too. Combined with all the dried fruit this did have a Christmas pudding & mince pie feel to it, careful addition of water will probably get the best out of this one. 83/100
Kininvie 17 Years Old 1996 Batch 1
Like Monkey Shoulder with the good bits taken out, there is something really quite disappointing about this expression and I think it is complete lack of character. Even the attempted cask maturation to create balance has just rendered this a little beige. Still nice to try an offering from a distillery we haven’t previously sampled. 61/100
The Whiskyphiles 