Fumare is delicious and shows some of the more delicate aspects of peat-influence. This will change over time in the glass so worth taking some time over this one. 85/100
Spey Fumare
Beinn Dubh
Enjoyable but perhaps doesn’t quite deliver what you would expect from the colour. This still has that classic Speyside distillery medium-light spirit style. Plenty of fruit and chocolate from the cask maturation and later some tannins and pleasant spices keep things interesting. 84/100
Blair Athol 11 Years Old 2002 Hepburn’s Choice
Full of fresh fruit flavours and aromas, quite green and spirit driven – I suspected a refill cask and confirmed by the bottling details. Pleasant, a good base whisky and nice insight into Blair Athol spirit. 82/100
Shirakawa 1958
A truly delicious combination of tropical fruit, nuts and exotic oak wood influence full of earthy and woody spices and chocolate. It is hard to compare this unique piece of liquid history other than to say it is on par with some of the oldest Scotch single malts invariably derived from Speyside thanks to their careful maturation over many decades. 93/100
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
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
The Irishman Single Malt
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
Westland Garryana 2020
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
Westland Peated
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
Westland Sherry Wood
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
Westland American Oak
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
The Whiskyphiles 