Heart Cut Barley

Heart Cut Barley

The Heart Cut
Blended malt
Amber, hints of red
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinnamon, new plastic, strawberry jam, cream, vanilla, raspberries, hints of nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Strawberry jam, raspberries, cinnamon, orange peel, orange blossom, vanilla, black pepper. 
Finish: Short. Black pepper, orange blossom, raspberries, honey, strawberry jam. 

Comments: 

An English blend, and like anything from the Heart Cut, very flavour forward and intense. Lots of jammy notes, but also floral orange blossom and black pepper. Quite delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Pulteney 11yo

Pulteney 11yo

Cask and Crust, Cask Trade
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, sour cream, lemon zest, yoghurt, white pepper, ginseng. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, oily, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Wet stones, petrichor, lemon zest, white pepper, gentian, coffee, hints of sour cream. 
Finish: Medium. Gentian, coffee, petrichor, vanilla, hints of wet stones. 

Comments: 

Cask 504182. Lots of coastal minerally notes, with an earthy after-the-rain top note. It’s rather light and airy with a lactic tang at the end. Quite bitter.

Verdict:

I like this.

Blair Athol 25yo 1975/2000

Blair Athol 25yo 1975/2000

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale orange gold
49.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, wet stones, ink, molasses, lemon zest, orange peel, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Molasses, wet stones, orange peel, lemon zest, cream, iron filings, hints of mangoes. 
Finish: Long. Molasses, cream, gentian, wet stones, hints of iron filings. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic, with minerally notes all throughout. But there’s also oranges and lemjns and hints of tropical fruit. The finish is surprisingly bitter and minerally, with a burnt sugar sweetness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Blair Athol 29yo 1989/2019

Blair Athol 29yo 1989/2019

Cask Strength Collection, Signatory Vintage
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale gold, hints of pink
50.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, mangoes, white pepper, wet stones, creamy lemon zest, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Malted grains, wet stones, lemon zesty ginseng, cream, white pepper, coffee. 
Finish: Long. Ginseng, cream, gentian, white pepper, mangoes. 

Comments: 

Cask 3427. A beautiful fruity and minerally nose, but on the tongue, it’s surprisingly bitter and peppery. Lots of herbal bitterness that lingers onto the finish, alongside gentle peppery spice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Cooley 17yo Batch 1

Cooley 17yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Leinster
Straw
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, white wine, sour cream, white grapes, ink, nail varnish, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool, oily. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Yoghurt, sour cream, white grapes, raisins, mangoes, nail varnish, malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, coffee, molasses, nail varnish, yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic, with tropical fruit and plenty of maltiness. Even on the tongue the lactic note persists. The finish is quite short but intense, with a bitter, watery edge.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kentucky 6yo Brandy Finish

Kentucky 6yo Brandy Finish

Fragrant Drops, Keeble Cask Company
Single bourbon - Kentucky 
Amber gold
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Aluminium foil, corn syrup, vanilla, sea salt, popcorn, ink, hints of white pepper. With water, popcorn, ink, corn syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Blackcurrant cordial, vanilla, white grapes, white pepper, prunes, popcorn. With water, blackcurrant cordial, ink, aluminium foil. 
Finish: Medium. Blackcurrant cordial, raisins, white pepper, aluminium foil, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Quite metallic and sweet. Some of this is the corn in the mash bill of course. On the tongue, it’s quite jammy and fruity, with a hint of white pepper. Water brings out that slightly metallic character again. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Four Gate Whiskey 7yo Ruby Port-Rum Casks

Four Gate Whiskey 7yo Ruby Port-Rum Casks

Four Gate Whiskey Company
Single rye - Indiana
Amber red 
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Desiccated coconut, honey, burnt sugar, black pepper, nail varnish, vanilla, lemon zest. With water, vanilla, black pepper, damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Honey, nail varnish, butter, burnt sugar, brown paper, lemon zest, strawberry jam. With water, butter, black pepper, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, lemon zest, nail varnish, brown paper, vanilla. 

Comments: 

MGP rye, and for a contract distiller they’re occasionally rather good. This one is quite decent, lots of the usual rye spiciness, but also a sweet, fruity butteriness, as well as strawberry jam.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dingle Grianstad an Tsamraidh

Dingle Grianstad am Tsamraidh

Official bottling
Single malt - Munster
Dark gold
52.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Plums, white grapes, vanilla, strawberry jam, cloves, cinnamon, prunes. With water, damson jam, cloves, white grapes, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Black tea, black pepper, prunes, strawberry jam, cloves. With water, gooseberries, strawberry jam, cloves, black pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, plums, strawberry jam, black pepper, brown paper. 

Comments: 

Quite fruity, lots of estery notes, but the whisky isn’t as funky as a pot still. Lots of winey notes too, and water brings out some of the cloves and pepper even more. Interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Teeling 15yo Single Grain Sauvignon Blanc Cask

Teeling 15yo Single Grain Sauvignon Blanc Cask

Teeling bottler
Single malt
Pale copper
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: White wine, vanilla, popcorn, golden syrup, photocopy paper, nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pear drops, vanilla, popcorn, nutmeg, white grapes, white wine, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Pear drops, vanilla, popcorn, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Sweet sour, lots of estery notes, with fruit and grain. Quite well spiced, cinnamon and nutmeg abound. The white wine cask is quite prominent. I don’t think this is from Teeling distillery itself, it’s just a little too old.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kanosuke 4yo 2018/2022 Open Day 2022

Kanosuke 4yo 2018/2022 Open Day 2022

Official bottling
Single malt - Kyushu
Dark amber red
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, figs, sandalwood, malted grains, cherries, black tea, golden syrup, damson jam. With water, golden syrup, raisins, cherries. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cola nuts, sandalwood, fresh baked bread, golden syrup, damson jam. With water, black tea, golden syrup, cherries, hints of marzipan. 
Finish: Long. Sandalwood, lohan fruit, black tea, raisins, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Cask 19462. Sweet and luscious, as is nearly every Kanosuke I’ve ever tried. But this one also has golden syrup and bread notes, probably from the bourbon cask. Very rich and intense.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bowmore 7yo

Bowmore 7yo

Living Souls
Single malt - Islay
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, lemon zest, lemon juice, meringues, tobacco leaf, peat, soot, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, smoke, lemon sweets, peat, tobacco leaf, vanilla, shortcrust pastry. 
Finish: Medium. Tobacco leaf, peat, smoke, soot, shortcrust pastry, lemon sweets. 

Comments: 

A light, quite refreshing Bowmore, with restrained fruit and a lot of smoke. There are adore lemon sweets than pineapples, and a little pastry especially on the tongue.

Verdict:

I like this.

Leiper’s Fork 5yo Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond Batch 2

Leiper’s Fork 5yo Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond Batch 2

Official bottling
Single rye - Tennessee
Dark brown
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honeydew melons, raisins, black tea, brown paper, black pepper, leather, cardamom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Black pepper, brown paper, raisins, oak chips, brown paper, cinnamon, hints of cardamom. 
Finish: Medium. Milk chocolate, leather, brown paper, cardamom, oak chips. 

Comments: 

A very fruity rye, with plenty of herbal spicy notes too. Not only the usual black pepper, but also cardamom and cinnamon. It only turns oaky at the end.

Verdict:

I like this.

Auchroisk 13yo 2009/2022

Auchroisk 13yo 2009/2022

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, red grapes, Demerara sugar, yoghurt, black pepper, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Molasses, burnt sugar, Demerara sugar, yoghurt, honey, black pepper, red grapes, orange peel. 
Finish: Short. Red grapes, orange peel, burnt sugar, yoghurt, hints of black pepper. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic, with burnt sugar notes that carry a hint of bitterness. Still plenty of sweet fruit notes though. It builds to a short but intense, spicy finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Invergordon 30yo 1990/2020

Invergordon 30yo 1990/2020

#179, Maltbarn
Single grain - North Highlands
Dark gold
53.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, popcorn, pear drops, vanilla, peaches, apricots, white grapes. With water, popcorn, vanilla, corn syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Peaches, pear drops, vanilla, apricots, corn syrup, rhubarb and custard sweets, white pepper. With water, popcorn, apricots, vanilla. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, pear drops, vanilla, apricots. 

Comments: 

Very fruity and bright, it wears its age lightly. Plenty of apricots and peaches, even pear drops. Water brings out the grain - popcorn and vanilla abound.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Jephta Creed Bloody Butcher Corn Straight Bourbon

Jephta Creed Bloody Butcher Corn Straight Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber gold
49% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ink, pear drops, honey, vanilla, toast, magic marker, popcorn. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Popcorn, fresh baked bread, honey, vanilla, caramel, toast, hints of iron filings. 
Finish: Short. Caramel, toast, iron filings, vanilla, corn syrup. 

Comments: 

Caramelly and sweet, lots of popcorn and toast. There’s a lot of corn in this indeed, as it says on the bottle. There’s also something slightly metallic on the tongue and the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Inchmurrin 11yo 2014/2025

Inchmurrin 11yo 2014/2025

Cask Masters, Brave New Spirits
Single malt - South Highlands
Golden orange
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, peaches, roses, honey, mangoes, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thick, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Orange peel, honey, black tea, malted grains, lemon zest, mangoes, passionfruit, golden syrup. 
Finish: Medium. Golden syrup, black tea, molasses, peaches. 

Comments: 

Fruity, floral, lots of malty notes. Quite intense, and surprisingly heavy bodied despite the lower ABV. Rather sweet, and gets sweeter on the finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Four Roses Limited Edition 2025

Four Roses Limited Edition 2025

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber 
54.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, toast, pear drops, ink, popcorn, honey. With water, blueberries, acetone, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, oily, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Toast, pear drops, ink, acetone, popcorn, blueberries, mint, toast. With water, blueberries, acetone, popcorn. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, mint, acetone, ink. 

Comments: 

Interesting bourbon, with a blueberries and nail varnish vibe that’s really quite alluring. There’s mint, and even toast, and it takes water rather well.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Legacy Series Chapter 4

Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Legacy Series Chapter 4

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Pale orange 
60.2% ABV

Dram

Nose: Honey, roast pork, smoke, bacon, apples, barley sugar, sea salt, peat, tarry rope. With water, lemon curd, sea salt, barley sugar, germolene. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Bacon, dill, apples, smoke, tarry rope, lemon curd, apples, barley sugar, peat. With water, lemon curd, tarry rope, barley sugar, smoke. 
Finish: Short. Apples, smoke, barley sugar, dill, peat. 

Comments: 

Meaty, smoky and even slightly herbal, all over a core of apples and lemon curd. Water brings out more sweetness and more earthiness. A very unbalanced, interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Scallywag Winter Edition

Scallywag Winter Edition

Douglas Laing
Blended malt
Golden brown
52.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apple juice, cloves, raisins, golden syrup, fresh baked bread, black pepper, nutmeg. With water, vanilla sponge, butter, raisins, apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Apple juice, damson jam, raisins, honey, golden syrup, nutmeg, cloves. With water, raisins, prunes, damson jam, black pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, nutmeg, golden syrup. 

Comments: 

A very appley blend, from Douglas Laing. Not sure what’s in here but it tastes quite a lot like mulled apple cider. A perfect winter dram, as it says on the bottle.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clonakilty Single Pot Still

Clonakilty Single Pot Still

Official bottling
Single pot still - Munster
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ink, magic marker, sour cream, cooked rice, raisins, white grapes, hints of icing sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Magic marker, cooked rice, malted grains, white grapes, honey, dark chocolate, white pepper, hints of orange blossom. 
Finish: Medium. Ink, molasses, sour cream, cooked rice, white grapes. 

Comments: 

A rather funky distillate, lots of fermented notes, particularly sour cream. But there is also a deep sweetness, with floral notes overlaying it. I’m still not sure about pot still whisky but it’s certainly something that stands out.

Verdict:

I like this.

Clonakilty Port Cask

Clonakilty Port Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Munster
Golden, hints of pink
43.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: White chocolate, fresh cut grass, straw, raisins, raspberry jam, orange blossom, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Fresh cut grass, straw, raisins, honey, black tea, white chocolate, orange blossom, hints of toffee. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, white chocolate, orange blossom, straw, hints of toffee. 

Comments: 

Batch 44. Nice sweet notes of white chocolate and a very floral and fruity orange note too. It’s clearly malt, but it’s not very apparent till the finish. Sweet and luscious.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tomintoul Small Batch PX Cask Finish

Tomintoul Small Batch PX Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber red
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, molasses, raisins, malted grains, apricot jam, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, strawberry jam, black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of aluminium foil. 
Finish: Medium. Molasses, malted grains, apricot jam, cinnamon, hints of aluminium foil. 

Comments: 

Quite spicy and sweet, almost bourbony in that sense, but without the grain sweetness (coconut, vanilla, popcorn). There’s some spiciness on the palate as well as the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Belmont Farm Kopper Kettle

Belmont Farm Kopper Kettle

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Virginia
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Desiccated coconut, vanilla, bananas, rum and raisin ice cream, caramel, toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla fudge, desiccated coconut, toffee, milk chocolate, cream, raisins, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Short. Rum and raisin ice cream, desiccated coconut, milk chocolate, vanilla fudge. 

Comments: 

Quite an ice cream-y bourbon, lots of fudgy chocolatey notes.  The desiccated coconut speaks to a lot of grain in the mash bill, perhaps some wheat. Unfortunately the finish is a little short.

Verdict:

I like this.

Scapegrace Vanguard

Scapegrace Vanguard

Official bottling
Single malt - Otago
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Molasses, papayas, peaches, apple juice, charcoal ash, smoke, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Matches, peaches, molasses, smoke, charcoal ash, petrol exhaust, apple juice. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, matches, vanilla, peaches, charcoal ash. 

Comments: 

Ashy and sulphurous, even a smidgen of tobacco. But underneath that there’s Kentucky of apples and tropical fruit. Quite an interesting dram, not had smoky Scapegrace before.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dalwhinnie 29yo 1973/2003 (Special Releases 2003)

Dalwhinnie 29yo 1973/2003 (Special Releases 2003)

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden 
57.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, mangoes, bananas, cream, white chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon. With water, honey, pencil lead, cream, sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, expands, volatile, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, bananas, cream, vanilla, nutmeg, gooseberries, pencil lead. With water, malted grains, mangoes, honey, pencil lead, cream. 
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, gooseberries, mangoes, cream, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Lots of tropical fruit again, with plenty of sweet honey and bananas. There’s a slightly grapy, maybe gooseberry tang to this, and the finish is spicy and creamy. Utterly lovely.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dalwhinnie 25yo 1989/2015 (Special Releases 2015)

Dalwhinnie 25yo 1989/2015 (Special Releases 2015)

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden yellow 
48.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, chocolate, mangoes, peaches, wet stones, papayas, cream, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Mangoes, peaches, wet stones, pencil lead, cream, white grapes, honey, malted grains. 
Finish: Long. Pencil lead, white pepper, white grapes, mangoes. 

Comments: 

Fruity and minerally, with a pleasing note of pencil lead. Plenty of tropical fruit and cream, something that really ups the complexity. I love the long minerally finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

St Kilian Peated

St Kilian Peated

Official bottling 
Single malt - Bavaria
Bright gold

46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, pears, charcoal ash, smoke, tobacco leaf, peat, hints of rubber bands. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Charcoal ash, apples, vanilla, lemon zest, smoke, tobacco leaf, peat, menthol. 
Finish: Long. Menthol, tobacco leaf, charcoal ash, smoke. 

Comments: 

Quite an ashy finish, but laden with fruit and herbal flavours. There’s some lemony pears in there but it’s really fairly peated and smoky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Godawan Cherry Cask Edition Series 02

Godawan Cherry Cask Edition Series 02

Official bottling
Single malt - Rajasthan
Golden brown
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk chocolate, raspberry jam, cherry blossom, malted grains, honey, vanilla, cream, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raspberry jam, prunes, milk chocolate, cherry blossom, vanilla, black tea, malted grains, burnt sugar. 
Finish: Medium. Raspberry jam, honey, golden syrup, burnt sugar. 

Comments: 

Sweet and jammy, lots of creamy vanilla as well. There’s some classic sherry tannins too. Overall there’s some notes that indicate a cherry wood cask, but I couldn’t tell unless I was told. An interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Gauldrons Sherry Cask Batch 002

Gauldrons Sherry Cask Batch 002

Douglas Laing

Blend
Amber
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, raspberry jam, orange peel, molasses, leather, peat, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raspberry jam, orange peel, molasses, leather, peat, malted grains, rubber bands, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, malted grains, molasses, raspberry jam, hints of petrol exhaust. 

Comments: 

Fruity and sweet, lots of jammy notes. But there’s a little sulphur, maybe something rubbery and some peppery spice. It’s a bit of Campbeltown in the blend, if I’m any judge.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne White Oak

Glengoyne White Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Pale gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, milk chocolate, black tea, molasses, malted grains, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, milk chocolate, orange peel, apricot jam, vanilla, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Cola nuts, raisins, milk chocolate, fresh baked bread, apricot jam. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fruity, lots of chocolate covered raisins, like all other Glengoynes. It’s delicate and rather delicious, and very winters.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.  

Glen Scotia 12yo Tawny Port Edition

Glen Scotia 12yo Tawny Port Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown 
Amber
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raspberries, damson jam, pears, malted grains, orange peel, pecans, honey. With water, honey, pears, hints of peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Pear drops, malted grains, lohan fruit, orange peel, winter melons, hints of peat. With water, pears, lemon zest, winter melons, hints of pecans. 
Finish: Long. Lohan fruit, winter melons, peat, orange peel, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Sweet and slightly sooty, with a distinct peaty note that is buried under a lot of fruity notes. Water brings out even more fruits and an additional sweet nuttiness that brings to mind pecans.

Verdict:

I like this.

Benriach 17yo 2007/2024

Benriach 17yo 2007/2024

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold 
47.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, vanilla, sourdough bread, yoghurt, lemon zest, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. Vanilla, sourdough bread, peaches, malted grains, molasses, hints of nutmeg. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, molasses, Demerara sugar, peaches, hints of sourdough bread. 

Comments: 

Fruity and very bready, lots of slightly tart notes that are also reminiscent of yoghurt. There’s some caramelly, sugary sweetness in the finish but it’s almost the absence of tartness rather than a proper sweet note.

Verdict:

I like this.

Barton 1792 Sazerac Barrel Select for Milroy’s

Barton 1792 Sazerac Barrel Select for Milroy’s 

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber gold
62.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Desiccated coconut, oak chips, vanilla, maple syrup, vanilla, white pepper. With water, white pepper, acetone, oak chips, pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Eucalyptus, oak chips, vanilla, desiccated coconut, orange peel, honey, oak chips, white pepper. With water, white pepper, honey, acetone, maple syrup. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, oak chips, cookie dough, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Quite fragrant, lots of nail varnish and pear drops notes. There’s also some coconut, which reminds me of grain rather than bourbon. Water brings out even more acetone.

Verdict:

I like this.

Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition

Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition

Official bottling
Single rye - Virginia
Amber
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, black pepper, orange peel, custard, brown paper, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, static, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Coffee, black pepper, orange peel, brown paper, fresh baked bread, hints of gentian. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, brown paper, vanilla, hints of gentian. 

Comments: 

Rather bitter for a rye, lots of fragrant notes and some peppery spiciness. It’s also quite bready, which is a little odd, but that pepper note still comes through.

Verdict:

I like this.

Callington Mill Invicta

Callington Mill Invicta

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber, hints of pink
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, strawberry jam, cream, rhubarb and custard sweets, black tea, hints of vanilla sponge. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, vanilla sponge, orange peel, strawberry jam, marmalade, milk chocolate, fresh baked bread, hints of shortcrust pastry. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh baked bread, strawberry jam, marmalade. 

Comments: 

Pure port finish. Jammy, but with hints of orange and marmalade this time, with a bready, pastry note on the tongue and on the finish. Again, much better at the higher ABV.

Verdict:

I like this.

Callington Mill El Sol

Callington Mill El Sol

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, vanilla sponge, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, red grapes, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, coffee, cocoa nibs, black pepper, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, raspberry jam, coffee. 

Comments: 

Aged in a combination of sherry casks, Fino, Amontillado, PX and Oloroso. Chocolatey, lots of bitter cocoa too, but plenty of sweet fruity jam. The extra ABV is helpful, indeed essential.

Verdict:

I like this.

Callington Mill Enigma

Callington Mill Enigma

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, damson jam, honey, malted grains, fresh baked bread, black tea, hints of brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, vanilla sponge, damson jam, honey, hints of custard. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, orange peel, damson jam, honey. 

Comments: 

Aged in port and sherry casks. Quite sweet as you’d expect, but also endowed with a peppery bitterness. It’s decent but rather low strength, which takes away some of the complexity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tamdhu 14yo 2008/2022

Tamdhu 14yo 2008/2022

Cut Your Wolf Loose, Woolf Sung
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
60.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, damson jam, orange peel, cloves, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, malted grains. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, damson jam, black pepper, honey, milk chocolate, brown paper, strawberry jam. With water, coffee, milk chocolate, brown paper, damson jam. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, honey, oats, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Very sweet, sherried dram, lots of strawberry jam and damson jam. Water brings out a chocolate note, with coffee and nore sweet jammy stuff. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Speyburn 15yo 2008/2024

Speyburn 15yo 2008/2024

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
60.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, vanilla, orange peel, white grapes, edelweiss, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Pears, yoghurt, white pepper, white grapes, cream, strawberry jam, edelweiss, hints of orange blossom. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, cream, pears, orange blossom. 

Comments: 

Very fruity whisky, lots of pears and grapes. Also a mount floral note, like white flowers or edelweiss. No need for water, this just slipped down.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

New Riff Single Barrel B16-3518

New Riff Single Barrel B16-3518

Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber gold
52.15% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, rye bread, leather, vanilla, photocopy paper, dried apples, hints of dark chocolate. With water, black pepper, vanilla, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Black pepper, cherries, honey, cough syrup, cooked rice, dried apples, dark chocolate. With water, sea salt, rye bread, coffee. 
Finish: Short. Dark chocolate, cherries, honey, black pepper. 

Comments: 

A rather sweet rye, but with that black pepper spiciness. Water brings out more of the rye cereal flavour, and a coffee bitterness. Other than that, lots of dried apple notes.

Verdict:

I like this.

Old Forester Straight Bourbon

Old Forester Straight Bourbon

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Light amber 
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cooked rice, honey, molasses, bananas, vanilla, oak chips. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Molasses, oak chips, bananas, honey, vanilla, dark chocolate. 
Finish: Short. Coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, molasses. 

Comments: 

A straightforward bourbon, lots of vanilla and banana notes. On the tongue, it’s a little more bitter than usual perhaps, and that bitterness continues onto the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Westland Colere 3rd Edition

Westland Colere 3rd Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Dark green gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Preserved lemons, heather, hay, fresh cut grass, malted grains, honeydew melons, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Preserved lemons, hay, fresh cut grass, honey, malted grains, peaches, hints of honeydew melons. 
Finish: Short. Hay, lemon zest, honey, malted grains, peaches. 

Comments: 

Grassy with lots of citrus and honey. A mild, slightly savoury distillate, and it’s stripped back with only a little wood influence. Very interesting indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arlett Single Malt Tourbe

Arlett Single Malt Tourbe

Official bottling
Single malt - Poitou-Charentes
Pale gold
43% ABV

Dram

Nose: Mangoes, smoke, leather, lemon zest, photocopy paper, autumn leaves, nutmeg, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Germolene, autumn leaves, peaches, mangoes, orange peel, nutmeg, cloves, gauze bandages, hints of charcoal ash. 
Finish: Medium. Gauze bandages, germolene, autumn leaves, mangoes, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Medicinal peat, with feinty, slightly chemical flavours. There’s also leather, and earthiness, but also tropical fruit and spice. A very interesting whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arlett Finition Barbados Rhum Cask

Arlett Finition Barbados Rhum Cask

Official bottling

Single malt - Poitou-Charentes
Pale orange gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, photocopy paper, peaches, white pepper, nectarines, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Mangoes, peaches, nectarines, bananas, Demerara sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, hints of pineapples. 
Finish: Short. Mangoes, bananas, Demerara sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

This whisky is well made, with the funky rum and tropical fruit flavours very clearly defined. Lots of peaches and nectarines as well. One of the best rum casks I’ve had.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Aberfeldy 17yo 2001/2018 Single Cask Handfill

Aberfeldy 17yo 2001/2018

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
54.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cola nuts, orange peel, cherries, roast chicken, malts grains, menthol, hints of eucalyptus. With water, damson jam, cherries, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, menthol, eucalyptus, roast chicken, raisins, orange peel, fresh baked bread, damson jam. With water, fresh baked bread, menthol, damson jam. 
Finish: Medium. Leather, autumn leaves, roast chicken, raisins. 

Comments: 

A rich, herbal Aberfeldy, lots of leather and orange peel. It’s sherried, of course, so lots of raisins and jam too, but there’s a nice meaty savouriness especially on the finish. Lovely.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Aberfeldy 25yo Sherry Cask Finish

Aberfeldy 25yo Sherry Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber orange
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, pruneaux, rose water, fresh baked bread, cloves, hints of violets. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, oily, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange peel, raisins, pruneaux, rose water, cherries, damson jam, hints of violets, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, pruneaux, raisins, orange peel, cloves. 

Comments: 

Fragrant and floral, lots of sweet winey notes, it’s almost like an armagnac. No need for water, it’s utterly delicious as it is. It builds to a long bready finish, and only then does it remind me of whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Girvan 19yo 2002/2022

Girvan 19yo 2002/2022

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single grain - Lowlands
Amber
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, sandalwood, vanilla, oak chips, lemon zest, hints of smoke, hints of gooseberries. With water, oak chips, molasses, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, corn syrup, white pepper, oak chips, malted grains, popcorn, lemon zest. With water, vanilla, lemon zest, popcorn. 
Finish: Medium. Photocopy paper, sandalwood, popcorn, toffee, hints of desiccated coconut. 

Comments: 

Cask DL 16487. Floral and woody, with plenty of popcorn, and perhaps a touch of smoke. Water brings out more vanilla, more wood and even more popcorn. Decent dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.

The Story Of Bourbon

The Story Of Bourbon

The Story Of
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Copper
42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, peanuts, vanilla, caramel, oak chips, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Orange peel, vanilla, honey, chocolate, oak chips, hints of bananas. 
Finish: Medium. Oak chips, black tea, vanilla, caramel, hints of orange peel. 

Comments: 

A lower proof version of an earlier bottle. It’s still rather orangey but maybe more chocolate, and the wood is more prominent. Still rather good.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenallachie 12yo Sauternes Wine Cask Finish

Glenallachie 12yo Sauternes Wine Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark orange gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, yoghurt, bananas, white wine, white grapes, toffee, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Toffee, black tea, nutmeg, orange peel, yoghurt, burnt sugar, hints of bananas. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, burnt sugar, aluminium foil, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Sweet and creamy, lots of grape notes. It’s slightly lactic on the tongue, the Sauternes cask doesn’t hide that. Plenty of toffee and burnt sugar too. Decent dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Longrow 10yo Open Day 2025

Longrow 10yo Open Day 2025

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber brown
55.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Winter melons, lemon zest, raisins, green tea, leather, lemon zest, pine needles, hints of germolene. With water, apricot jam, pine needles, lemon zest, germolene. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, expands, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon zest, raisins, fresh cut grass, green tea, apricot jam, germolene, peat, autumn leaves. With water, lemon zest, pine needles, autumn leaves, germolene. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, green tea, fresh cut grass, germolene. 

Comments: 

Herbal and autumnal, lots of forest flavours! There is citrus and apricot also, and it’s all wreathed with gentle peat. A very good dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.