The GlenDronach 27 Years Old Grandeur Batch 10 whisky review: A masterful GlenDronach expression full of rich dark fruits balanced against bitter chocolate and coffee. Hugely drinkable at 50.1% ABV, this goes down far too easily! Captures the essence of what GlenDronach is about right now and easily matches the pinnacle of their single cask releases. 93/100
The GlenDronach Master Vintage 1993 25 Years Old whisky review: A little thinner and woodier than I hoped for/expected. A classic heavy sherry GlenDronach but quite a bit of spirit and old wood on display here too – quite distinct from some of the single cask releases of the same (or many other) vintages. Delivered at 48.2%, this is a little lower than many of the single casks of this age and I’m unsure if this is batch/marrying strength or reduced – feels reduced, which is a shame as otherwise this is a good whisky. 87/100
The Naked Grouse whisky review: I’m still not convinced by this blend, it is very pleasing and all but just too polished/smooth/blendy in places that I see it as a detraction from the whole. 75/100
Aberfeldy 1993 Connoisseurs Choice whisky review: A beautifully sherried Aberfeldy, dry and leathery with plenty of dark fruits and chocolate, with water this opens up a lot more and just gets better. 88/100
Glengoyne 21 Years Old whisky review: A sherry-packed dram with masses of sun-dried fruit and cocoa with just a hint of gentle spices. Comparing against the Teapot dram, the age of the 21 was apparent due to the old/dry and antique woody notes. Comparing with the 18 Year Old this has feels like it has much more 1st fill sherry cask influence. Possibly one of the best value-for-money 21 year old official bottlings available. 90/100
Glengoyne 18 Years Old whisky review: A remarkably mature and well-balanced dram this one reveals itself slowly so demands you slow down and take time over it. Reserved and refined rather than a sherry bomb, 1st fill casks have been used carefully here and countered well with refill influences. 86/100
Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6 whisky review: Another fantastic Sherry Bomb, during the tasting we sampled this alongside Glengoyne 21 Year Old expression which really highlighted the new oak wood and fresh fruit character of the Teapot Dram. Youthfulll and exuberant but with masses of sherry-influenced flavour and characteristic Glengoyne fruity spirit. Many at the tasting were convinced that this 6th edition was as good as the 1st if not better. 91/100
BenRiach 12 Years Old Sherry Wood Matured Whisky Review: Surprisingly I found myself thinking this isn’t as overtly sherried as I was expecting. Sure there is some spice but there is a freshness to the red berry fruits on the palate that was both earthy and refreshing. Overall quite balanced. 85/100
The GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival whisky review: A classic GlenDronach on the nose but quite bitter on the palate with influences of pine, coffee, grinds plenty of tannins and woody spice. I don’t know why but I am increasingly under the impression that much more PX cask usage is shifting the balance away from Oloroso sweet and fruity influences. Looking back I have scored this 15 marginally higher than the last. 85/100
Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Discovery Islay single malt Scotch whisky review: A lot more balanced – of course, classic Gordon & MacPhail’s pairing of spirit and cask. I’d have loved much more sherry influence, but this excels in its balance. A rather reminiscent nose led to initially quite closed palate, but given time it opens up to its own wonders. This is the sort of dram you could drink all night and keep finding new flavours. 85/100
