Drinkable and well-textured (light & silky or smooth) as expected from The Glenlivet. Filled with plenty of fruit, some tropical, with a touch of syrup and spice to help it along. A refreshing alternative to The Glenlivet’s classic 12 Year old expression for example and in similar price bracket. 83/100
Of similar quality to The Irishman The Harvest expression but quite a different character, lacking that Pot Still spice and also complexity from both malt and mixed cask maturation resulting in something very enjoyable. 84/100
Robust thanks to the Pot Still spices bestowed by green barley, vanilla from the Bourbon oak and biscuity malt notes also lead to an entertaining and complex dram for an entry-level price. 84/100
An easygoing Bourbon with plenty of expected sweetness and some rather herbal spice notes keeps this one interesting and entertaining. 84/100
Intense sweet fruit and spice plus plenty of wood influence, well put-together CS Bourbon from the Four Roses stable. 85/100
Complex with plenty of wood influence but also fruity, spicy and chocolate notes abound. Lifted by presentation at 50% ABV this has much more depth and presence than the heritage collection. 86/100
My favourite of the Heritage range expressions which have grown slowly over the range. Plenty of peat influence and smoke but also some estery fruits which complement well. 84/100
Plenty of fruit and spice delivered from the sherry wood, perhaps a touch medicated tasting with cherry cough drops. European oak wood flavours dominate the palate. 83/100
Oak heavy and perhaps a touch bourbon-esque in terms of wood influence with an added cereal depth from the malt. Ginger and orange predominate, a classic taste combination but with added complexity from both spirit and wood. Yes easily the equal of scotch single malt but with it’s own unique Westland or North-Pacific DNA very present here. 82/100
Black Bottle offers a characterful blended scotch with good structure and strong flavours. A delight amongst insipid vanilla & lemon blends that let far to much youthful grain spirit shine. An easy equal to many a single malt and much more chewy and substantial than JW Black Label (for example). This has rapidly become my ‘go to’ Blended scotch. 83/100
The Whiskyphiles 