Auchroisk 16 Years Old 1999 Strictly Limited whisky review: Another finely balanced expression – a little more spirit character present in this one despite it’s extra years of maturation over the 13 year old 2000 vintage comparator from the same bottler. On the nose a lot more woody but a little lacking in distinct ripened fruit flavours perhaps? 84/100
Lagavulin 2000 Distillers Edition whisky review: Softer and less smoky both on the nose and palate than the 1999 vintage. More fruity in nature and much more vanilla influence. Slightly more sugary and nutty too. It is hard to ascribe why this is distinctly less smoky and slightly lighter in texture, however differences in the maturation/finishing casks more than justify the alterations in flavour profile, more fruit and nut than chocolate and tobacco. Still very pleasant. 84/100
Caol Ila 2004 Distillers Edition whisky review: A much more meatier and smokier edition than the previous years vintage. Some may like this more but I think this has drifted slightly too far from the sweet and peat balance. More like a standard Caol Ila, malt and smoke becomes spicy and drying and a little sourness from the wood is unmasked too. 82/100
Oban 2001 Distillers Edition Highland single malt Scotch whisky review: I enjoyed this a little bit more than the last DE sampled (1998-2013), this had a sharpness or clarity throughout and the cleanliness of white grape with a touch of salt which added to the overall more pleasing presentation of this vintage. 83/100
Clear and fruity with just a touch of aged oak wood flavours, this is mostly aged in large wooden tuns to keep the oak influence light, before a finishing period in toasted 400l casks delivering a balance usually found on younger Calvados but with the flavours of a much more mature one. Superbly constructed and hugely enjoyable. 90/100
A Distillery Only available limited edition bottling of Glenkinchie, 6,000 bottles were released in 2016. A more tannic and spicy alternative to the standard bottlings. 85/100
A deliciously aged expression from an ex-Bourbon cask with that odd waxy florality, tropical fruit and creamy vanilla with more than a hint of mint in here. Dessert-like on lots of levels. 88/100
Very pleasing & vanilla’d in all its forms, an easy drinker that reminded us of Dalwhinnie or Cardhu single malt scotch, nothing overly complicated about it but a good solid dram and excels in its simplicity, I think this would appeal to many. 85/100
Delicious, rich & juicy jammy fruits, lovely malty structure with touches of tannic leather and that still sulphur meatiness characteristic of Mortlach. 89/100
Delicious *Laphroaig* briny peat smoke and sweetened sherried maltiness at its finest. These Islay whiskies really do drink well young before the peat influence dissipates with over-maturation. 87/100
