Indri Dru Cask Strength

Indri Dru Cask Strength

Official bottling
Single malt - Piccadily
Amber
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: New plastic, rye bread, black pepper, lemon zest, surgical spirit, hints of orange peel. With water, orange peel, honey, hints of surgical spirit. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, volatile, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Orange peel, white grapes, honey, vanilla, black pepper, malted grains, fresh baked bread. With water, honey, raisins, black pepper, hints of surgical spirit. 
Finish: Medium. White grapes, orange peel, raisins, honey. 

Comments: 

Feinty to the point of plasticky, but has some caraway, seedy notes. The strength doesn’t contribute much in my view, just alcohol burn. Water brings out some more spirity notes.

Verdict:

I like this.

Einar’s Distillery 5yo

Einar’s Distillery 5yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Nordoyar
Straw 
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, malted grains, pears, fresh cut grass, eucalyptus, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, mouth coating, slightly oily. 

Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, raisins, pears, caramel, menthol, fresh cut grass, lemon zest. 
Finish: Long. Honey, pears, fresh cut grass, lemon zest, hints of eucalyptus. 

Comments: 

Grassy and mentholly, with herbal notes. There’s a smidgen of peat in this, but it’s very light, grassy rather than earthy. The natural sweetness of the whisky stands out.

Verdict:

I like this.

Blackwater 5yo 2019/2024 PMD II: Return of the Dragon

Blackwater 5yo 2019/2024 PMD II: Return of the Dragon

Official bottling
Single malt - Munster
Golden
59.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Limes, pears, leather, white grapes, honeydew melons, mint. With water, dried pears, dried pineapples, honeydew melons. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour. Honeydew melons, white grapes, peat, leather, lemon zest, pears, hints of smoke. With water, malted grains, white grapes, pears, hints of new plastic. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh cut grass, mint, pears, white grapes, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Barrel BBL000052. Really quite fruity and flavourful for a young whisky. Irish whisky usually uses some pot still make to achieve this effect but there’s no hint of that here. Well made and delicious.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bonnington 5yo 2020/2025

Bonnington 5yo 2020/2025

Fruitful Spirits
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
63.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tires, honey, apricots, smoke, peat, limes, farmyard, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, smoke, peat, charcoal ash. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, volatile, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Tires, farmyard, malted grains, honey, burnt sugar, smoke, peat. With water, limes, smoke, peat, malted grains. 
Finish: Medium. Limes, fresh cut grass, smoke, peat. 

Comments: 

Unbalanced and sulphurous, quite grassy but also with a suspicious-tasting farmyard note. Water improves it, brings out some zesty citrus and a little ashy note that is more typical of peated whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenfarclas 190th Anniversary

Glenfarclas 190th Anniversary 

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber
51.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, strawberry sweets, black pepper, cloves. With water, dark chocolate, raisins, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, coffee, black pepper, strawberry sweets, nutmeg, raisins, hints of pomeloes. With water, nutmeg, dark chocolate, raisins, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, coffee, black pepper, raisins, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

Quintessential Speyside whisky, very representative of Glenfarclas, yet has a distinct strawberry flavour of its own. Well crafted and excellent dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lochrann Aoire (Shepherd’s Lantern) 3yo Barrel No 1

Lochrann Aoire (Shepherd’s Lantern) 3yo Barrel No 1

Scaire Uisce
Single blend - Leinster
Amber gold
53% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, barley sugar, black pepper, magic marker, strawberries, hints of cinnamon. With water, caramel, barley sugar, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, vanilla, milk chocolate, caramel, barley sugar, cinnamon, fresh baked bread, hints of black pepper. With water, milk chocolate, caramel, pears. 
Finish: Medium. Caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

This has a bit of pot still in it if I’m any judge - there’s that spikiness and barley sweetness that I associate with it. The malt contributes the chocolatey, creamy notes of course, along with the bread and cereal. Decent dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Van Brunt Stillhouse Rye Lot 23

Van Brunt Stillhouse Rye Lot 23

Official bottling
Single rye - New York 
Amber copper
42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, nectarines, parchment paper, black pepper, applesauce, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Parchment paper, peaches, applesauce, cinnamon, gooseberries, caramel, hints of green tea. 
Finish: Medium. Green tea, caramel, raisins, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

Quite tannic and herbal for a rye, and also quite delicate. There’s a slightly dusty, papery quality to it, one that goes well with the fragrant green tea notes. Rather unusual and rather good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Annandale 8yo Defender of the Crown

Annandale 8yo Defender of the Crown

Whiskyheroes, Brave New Spirits
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber gold 
52.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, germolene, raisins, sea salt, white grapes, smoke, leather, autumn leaves. With water, leather, raisins, cocoa nibs. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Germolene, raisins, white grapes, honey, soot, smoke, hints of gentian. With water, smoke, germolene, cocoa nibs. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, white grapes, smoke, germolene. 

Comments: 

Quite sweet and delicate despite the peatiness of the distillate. It’s characteristic of Annandale in my view. Rather well aged, with layered complexity. Very well constructed whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Arbikie 10yo The Signature

Arbikie 10yo The Signature

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden 
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, mangoes, orange peel, gooseberries, peaches, dunnage, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Peaches, orange peel, dunnage, malted grains, cinnamon, gooseberries, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Short. Aluminium foil, peaches, gooseberries, mangoes, magic marker. 

Comments: 

Lots of peach notes, as well as very funky dunnage, although it doesn’t take over the whisky as much as some others. Other fruits are also present, with a sweet barley cereal core.

Verdict:

I like this.

Brenne 10yo Limited Edition (bottled 2017)

Brenne 10yo Limited Edition (bottled 2017)

Official bottling
Single malt - Poitou-Charentes
Straw
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pineapples, honey, honeydew melons, mint, lemons, hints of bubble gum. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Photocopy paper, spearmint, fresh cut grass, bubblegum, pineapples, mangoes, honey, lemons, hints of green tea. 
Finish: Short. Honey, lemons, fresh cut grass, spearmint. 

Comments: 

Still fruity, but with other flavours, mainly herbal and a little floral. It’s now recognisably whisky, whereas in its early days this distillery made something deeply weird.

Verdict:

I like this.

Maker’s Mark London Edition No 3

Maker’s Mark London Edition No 3

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Chinese tea
55.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Blackcurrant cordial, brown paper, popcorn, magic marker, raisins, honey. With water, raisins, magic marker, blackcurrant cordial, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Blackcurrant cordial, brown paper, popcorn, cloves, sea salt, hints of fried eggs. With water, raisins, blackcurrant cordial, popcorn, cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Pears, magic marker, raisins, popcorn. 

Comments: 

Sweet and spicy, lots of estery, blackcurrant notes. A decent buttery bourbon, lots of popcorn notes but also complex. There’s even a hint of fried egg on the tongue, slightly sulphurous.

Verdict:

I like this.

Pokeno Triple Distilled 3rd Edition

Pokeno Triple Distilled 3rd Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - Waikato
Golden
49% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cooked rice, butter, pears, cantaloupe melons, honey, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, turns syrupy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cooked rice, cream of wheat, malted grains, honey, magic marker, pears, cantaloupe melons. 
Finish: Medium. White grapes, pears, malted grains, honey. 

Comments: 

Quite fruity with a creamy base. Plenty of delicate cereal notes underlying that fruit, and it’s still layered and complex enough for those notes to come through. Rather good.

Verdict:

I like this.

Boann Single Pot Still Madeira Cask

Boann Single Pot Still Madeira Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Dark gold
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, magic marker, pears, pineapples, malted grains, hints of cardamom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, thickens, slightly chalky. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. White pepper, honey, pear drops, caramel, cardamom, malted grains, hints of pears. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, cardboard, honey, caramel, magic marker. 

Comments: 

Fruity with a spiky edge, that’s the pot still. Pineapples and some cardamom make it interesting but it’s let down on the finish with slightly bready cardboard note.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kavalan Lan

Kavalan Lan

Official bottling
Single malt - Yilan
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, sandalwood, black pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, hints of soot. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White pepper, raisins, prunes, vanilla, blueberries, sandalwood, dark chocolate. 
Finish: Short. Coffee, dark chocolate, aluminium foil, raisins. 

Comments: 

Fruity, with some spicy notes, but overlaid with a woody, floral scent. The finish is short, intense and bitter. Some metallic notes too. Interesting whisky, certainly a decent entry level bottling.

Verdict:

I like this.

Masthouse Single Estate Vintage 2018

Masthouse Single Estate Vintage 2018

Official bottling
Single pot still - Kent
Golden

45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, lemon zest, honey, white grapes, cinnamon, wet stones, clay dust. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Magic marker, pear drops, green apples, lemon zest, wet stones, clay dust, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, pear drops, lemon zest, hints of wet stones. 

Comments: 

Quite an unusual pot still whisky. That bristliness is still there by its overlaid with tart notes of green apples and lemon zest, and something earthy and flinty - clay dust and wet stones. Interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bluegrass Distillers Blue Corn High Rye

Bluegrass Distillers Blue Corn High Rye

Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber red
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cough syrup, corn syrup, cola nuts, brown paper, oak chips, honey, hints of black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, astringent, thickens. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Black pepper, honey, corn syrup, cola nuts, leather, cherries, hints of sawdust. 
Finish: Medium. Cola nuts, cherries, cough syrup, honey, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Quite sweet and luscious, as a whisky with a high corn content would be expected to do. Some light spiciness from the rye but it’s not as prominent as one would expect.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 69.3 (Glen Albyn 16yo 1978/1994)

SMWS 69.3 (Glen Albyn 16yo 1978/1994)

1994, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Straw
64.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, malted grains, fresh cut grass, cream, elderflower, hints of roast chicken. With water, honey, white pepper, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, cream, elderflower, honey, grapefruit, hints of vanilla. With water, elderflower, malted grains, honey, lemon zest. 
Finish: Long. Elderflower, honey, lemon zest, cream, hints of vanilla. 

Comments: 

Malty and citrusy, with a floral elderflower note (I find this to be quite unusual). There’s a slightly meatiness to it as well, especially prominent given the high strength. Water brings out more of that floral elderflower note.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Hakushu 1991/2005 Suntory Furudaru Shiage

Hakushu 1991/2005 Suntory Furudaru Shiage

Official bottling 

Single malt - Chūbu
Amber red
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, black pepper, leather, rancio, camphor, caramel, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black pepper, raisins, honey, cherries, leather, burnt sugar, sandalwood, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, cherries, honey, leather, hints of soot. 

Comments: 

Highly complex and sweet, loads of warming spices and dried fruit. A little thin on the mouthfeel but that just makes it easier to drink. Probably the youngest “old-style” sherried whisky that I’ve had.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dallas Dhu 17yo 1970/1987

Dallas Dhu 17yo 1970/1987

Sestante
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
58.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honeydew melons, honey, cinnamon, malted grains, white pepper, hints of green pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honeydew melons, fresh cut grass, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honeydew melons, white pepper, fresh cut grass, honey, lemon zest, hints of camphor. With water, magic marker, camphor, leather, honey, honeydew melons. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, malted grains, honey, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Fruity and complex, lots of melon and honey notes. Water brings out some grassiness and citrus, and eventually some herbal bitterness. This is perfectly layered and constructed, an alluring, mouth watering whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balvenie 29yo 1994+1996

Balvenie “Blended Malt Whisky” 29yo 1994+1996

Decadent Drinks
Teaspooned malt - Speyside 
Amber
53% ABV
Dram

Nose: Beeswax, cola nuts, honeycomb, malted grains, honey, foam shrimp, gooseberries. With water, honey, white pepper, sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, beeswax, honeycomb, gooseberries, nectarines, greengages, lemon zest. With water, nectarines, honey, beeswax. 
Finish: Long. Honey, greengages, sandalwood, nectarines. 

Comments: 

Very waxy, plenty of peach. If you’d asked me to taste blind I’d have said this was Clynelish and not Balvenie. But that’s what it is, and there’s some notes of greengageS that hint a little bit at its origins.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Braeval 16yo 2010

Braeval 16yo 2010

Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
57.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, peaches, honey, cloves, caramel, hints of carrot cake. With water, honey, peaches, malted grains. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, mouth coating, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, orange peel, honey, peaches, malted grains, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, honey, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Cloves, cinnamon, peaches, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Malty and sweet Braeval, with plenty of peach and nectarine notes. Quite a spicy whisky, and water brings out more orange and cinnamon.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aultmore 15yo 2010/2026

Aultmore 15yo 2010/2026

Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, white chocolate, foam shrimp, malted grains, white pepper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass. With water, lemon zest, nectarines, white pepper, fresh cut grass. 

Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon zest, nectarines, clementines, malted grains, honey, white pepper, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets. With water, malted grains, fresh cut grass, foam shrimp, clementines. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Quite citrusy and peppery, with a thick heavy body that sits on the tongue. Water brings out some malty sweetness, some additional grassiness to cut the ought h citrus.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Auchentoshan 20yo

Auchentoshan 20yo

Whisky Craft, Solasta Holdings
Single malt - Lowlands
Yellow gold 
55.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Marmalade, lemon zest, lemon curd, cream, magic marker, green tea, malted grains, hints of brown paper. With water, fresh cut grass, lemon curd, malted grains, ume. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, slightly chalky. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Green tea, lemon zest, marmalade, dried apricots, fresh cut grass, white pepper, hints of chalk. With water, fresh cut grass, green tea, ume, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon curd, marmalade, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, hints of dried apricots. 

Comments: 

Citrusy and bright, lots of grassy notes with pepper. Slightly chalky (both in body and on the tongue). Water burns out more grassy florals, with fermented ume.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Westland 9yo

Westland 9yo

The Whisky Trail, Elixir Distillers
Single bourbon - Washington
Amber
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, roast pork, honey, magic marker, dried apricots, marmalade, hints of surgical spirit. With water, sandalwood, leather, dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon zest, marmalade, surgical spirit, leather, honey, cloves, sandalwood. With water, sandalwood, lemon zest, surgical spirit, marmalade. 
Finish: Short. Sandalwood, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Rather herbal and floral for bourbon. Plenty of jammy notes too (not raisins or blackcurrant). Quite unusual, in that it’s still spirity after 9 years. Water brings out some more citrus.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardnamurchan 6yo 2019/2026

Ardnamurchan 6yo 2019/2026

#24, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Western Highlands
Orange gold
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cedar, olive brine, smoke, peat, germolene, popcorn, honey, hints of dried apricots. With water, honey, dried apricots, magic marker. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, astringent. 
Tasting: Sour salty. Cedar, popcorn, smoke, peat, germolene, lemon zest, grapefruit, hints of gentian. With water, honey, dried apricots, pears, germolene. 
Finish: Medium. Grapefruit, gentian, popcorn, smoke. 

Comments: 

Quite a smoky whisky as Ardnamurchan goes. Lots of bitter citrus alongside all that smoke and peat. Water opens up a fruitiness that is quite intense, dried apricots are especially prominent.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bowmore 22yo 2004/2026 (bottled for Bar Lotus)

Bowmore 22yo 2004/2026 (bottled for Bar Lotus)

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islay
Golden
51% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, nori, soot, malted grains, golden syrup, sea salt, hints of cough syrup. With water, lemon zest, smoke, malted grains, hints of nori. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, thickens. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Golden syrup, nori, orange peel, lemon zest, smoke, peat, sea salt, hints of cough syrup, hints of toast. With water, smoke, lemon zest, orange peel, golden syrup, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Short. Golden syrup, orange peel, sea salt, smoke, hints of nori. 

Comments: 

A very decent Bowmore, sweet and smoky, with plenty of salinity to balance it. Great pick for this bar, one of the best in London. Plenty of smokiness too, once water is added.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lindores Abbey 5yo 2021/2026

Lindores Abbey 5yo 2021/2026

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber red 
55.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Prunes, strawberries, raspberries, raisins, dunnage, leather, red grapes, hints of cloves. With water, malted grains, raisins, strawberries, hints of dunnage. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, raspberries, strawberries, leather, photocopy paper, white pepper, cloves. With water, raisins, strawberries, malted grains, cloves. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, red grapes, leather, raspberries. 

Comments: 

Sherry cask of course, rather sweet and malty despite all that the raisin and dried fruit characteristics are prominent, with some feinty notes too. With water, it turns spicy and sweet again.

Verdict:

I like this.

Akashi 5yo Bourbon Cask 1356

Akashi 5yo Bourbon Cask 1356

Official bottling
Single malt - Kansai
Amber orange
56% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, gooseberries, hints of white pepper. With water, golden syrup, magic marker, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, white grapes, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. With water, malted grains, golden syrup, green tea. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Cask 1356. Rich, slightly tannic and very cereally. Water brings out even more cereal, alongside some floral notes and slightly caramelised sweetness.

Verdict:

I like this.

Knockando 32yo 1986/2019 Casks of Distinction

Knockando 32yo 1986/2019 Casks of Distinction

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
47.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, prunes, honey, red grapes, cream, weetabix, malted grains, hints of hibiscus. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thickens, mouth coating.
Tasting:  Sweet. Weetabix, black pepper, prunes, red grapes, raisins, honey, dried apricots, dried blueberries, hints of hibiscus. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, weetabix, cream, prunes, dried apricots. 

Comments: 

Cask 394. A very sophisticated dram, very classic aged whisky. Layered and complex with loads of black pepper and dried fruit. There’s also a very prominent cereal note with a mouth watering mouth feel.  Great whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Whisky Galore Macallan 1989

Whisky Galore Macallan 1989

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, black pepper, leather, cream, dark chocolate, hints of oak chips. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slippery, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, leather, cream, photocopy paper, black pepper, hints of lemon zest. 
Finish: Short. Cream, prunes, raisins, dark chocolate, hints of photocopy paper. 

Comments: 

Slightly lower strength, but still quite delightful. Again, very classic Macallan, lots of leather and dark chocolate and raisins to make me enjoy whisky from this distillery again.

Verdict:

I like this.

Piran Strange 28yo Macallan Private Cask Bottling

Piran Strange 28yo Macallan Private Cask Bottling

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
47.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, cocoa nibs, carrot cake, pomeloes, coffee, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, chalky, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Coffee, raisins, honey, orange peel, vanilla, carrot cake, cocoa nibs. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, vanilla, carrot cake, dark chocolate, pomeloes. 

Comments: 

Cask 6916. A very good whisky, lots of the sweetness that characterises old Macallan, together with a fudgy, nutmeggy flavour that I identify as carrot cake. Excellent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Lagg Kilmory Edition

Lagg Kilmory Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Germolene, peat, smoke, mint, pineapples, honey, lemon zest, hints of roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Germolene, menthol, pineapples, smoke, peat, sea salt, cedar, lemon zest, hints of peanuts. 
Finish: Medium. Menthol, pineapples, honey, smoke, peanuts. 

Comments: 

Fruity but with plenty of the peaty island medicinal pest character. Clearly quite young, but very promising stuff from Lagg.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Allt-a-Bhainne 17yo 2008/2025

Allt-a-Bhainne 17yo 2008/2025

Vintage Sherry Reserve, Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Amber copper red
62.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, strawberry jam, clay dust, black tea, malted grains, black pepper, orange peel. With water, raisins, cola nuts, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Strawberry jam, fresh baked bread, shortcrust pastry, black pepper, raisins, orange peel, malted grains. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, cola nuts. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, shortcrust pastry, black pepper, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Cask 80900249. Sweet and laden with heaps of dried fruit, and a tangy cola taste. It’s also a little dusty, something that is reminiscent of old style sherried whiskies. With water brings out a tinge of black pepper.

Verdict:

I like this.

London Distillery Co New Forms Ex Bourbon Cask

London Distillery Co New Forms Ex Bourbon Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber 
60.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, sandalwood, clay dust, pears, white pepper, aluminium foil, raspberry jam. With water, cherries, raspberry jam, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White pepper, peppermint, pears, malted grains, sea salt, raspberry jam. With water, peppermint, malted grains, black tea. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, malted grains, peppermint, raspberry jam. 

Comments: 

Cask 11190. Fragrant, quite raisiny with other dried fruit flavours despite the bourbon cask. Water brings out a mintiness, with some tannins and more malty sweetness. Again, a pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

London Distillery Co New Forms Moscatel Sherry Cask

London Distillery Co New Forms Moscatel Sherry Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber brown
61.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Plums, foam shrimp, sandalwood, clay dust, magic marker, raspberry jam, hints of tamarind. With water, strawberries, plums, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Leather, plums, vanilla, honey, malted grains, magic marker, raspberry jam. With water, malted grains, plums, strawberries, honey. 
Finish: Long. Magic marker, plums, sandalwood, black pepper, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 9008. Very sweet and luscious, the cask influence overwhelmed the distillate. There’s some maltiness perhaps but it’s hard to tell if the whisky tastes of much else. Pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Pitilie 10yo 2015/2025

Pitilie 10yo 2015/2025

Private Cask Collection, Finn Thomson
Single malt - Central Highlands
Yellow gold
55.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, aluminium foil, green apples, honey, lemon zest, hints of yoghurt. With water, magic marker, green apples, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Green apples, honey, white grapes, elderflower, vanilla, malted grains, hints of caramel. With water, malted grains, green apples, lemon zest. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, white grapes, malted grains, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Cask 105. Pitilie is another name for Aberfeldy. Fragrant, floral and tart, with plenty of underlying sweetness. The tartness is melic rather than citrus, with a sprinkling of peppery notes especially on the finish. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bonnington 3yo 2021/2025

Bonnington 3yo 2021/2025

Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, leather, surgical spirit, green tea, lemon zest, hints of sea salt. With water, leather, lemon zest, green tea, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Green tea, smoke, peat, sandalwood, soot, surgical spirit, leather, hints of vitamin C tablets. With water, smoke, peat, green tea, hints of vitamin C tablets. 
Finish: Smoke. Peat, smoke, sandalwood, green tea, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Quite sooty and spirity, but underneath that thick layer of peaty industrial mess, there’s something floral and citrusy. It was a little too spirity for me to really like it, but decent dram nonetheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

St Kilian Judas Priest British Steel

St Kilian Judas Priest British Steel

Official bottling
Single malt - Bavaria
Golden
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, magic marker, leather, white pepper, dunnage, hints of farmyard. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, thickens slightly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Orange peel, malted grains, surgical spirit, fresh baked bread, elderflower, thyme, dunnage, hints of farmyard. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, surgical spirit, thyme, white pepper, dunnage. 

Comments: 

Quite floral and sweet but also with a funky, fermented slightly metallic note. It’s also quite estery and spirity. As with other drams from this distillery, there’s the bones of something potentially great there, but for its lack of balance.

Verdict:

I like this.

London Distillery Co 10yo Ten Times Around the Sun Bourbon Cask

London Distillery Co 10yo Ten Times Around the Sun Bourbon Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Dark gold
51.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, marmalade, dunnage, raspberry jam, leather, malted grains, nectarines. With water, malted grains, gooseberries, marmalade, white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White pepper, peaches, nectarines, white grapes, malted grains, gooseberries, marmalade, hints of cucumbers. With water, black tea, peaches, marmalade, nectarines. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, cucumbers, gooseberries, hints of raspberry jam. 

Comments: 

Very fruity, beautiful golden colour, should be stripped back and malty but is surprisingly sweet and complex. Water brings out jammy notes and some tannins. Not your usual bourbon cask!

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kingsbarns Coaltown

Kingsbarns Coaltown

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Pale straw
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, peat, soot, limes, lemons, hints of malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, expands, tingly.
Tasting:  Bitter. Peat, soot, limes, honey, lemons, farmyard, pear drops, malted grains, sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, soot, lemons, sandalwood. 

Comments: 

Quite sooty, but under all that smoke and ash there’s plenty of citrus and something perfumy, maybe sandalwood. Quite fragrant but it’s all buried under that thicken industrial coat.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenlossie 8yo 2017/2026

Glenlossie 8yo 2017/2026

Octave, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside
Golden 
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, white chocolate, elderflower, malted grains, magic marker, honey, vanilla. With water, cream, magic marker, pears, surgical spirit. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White chocolate, magic marker, pears, elderflower, cream, honey, hints of malted grains. With water, cream, pears, elderflower, malted grains. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, orange peel, burnt sugar, elderflower. 

Comments: 

Floral and caramelly, and outstanding dram. Lots of spirity, feinty notes appear once water is added. But there’s an intrinsic sweetness and richness to this, quite like white chocolate.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Stauning Curious

Stauning Curious

Official bottling
Single rye - Midtjylland
Colourless

43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, raspberries, black pepper, orange peel, peat, pears. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, soot, smoke, pears, orange peel, raspberries, foam shrimp. 
Finish: Long. Menthol, smoke, soot, raspberries. 

Comments: 

A very smoky, yet fruity rye new make. It doesn’t suffer too much from its low strength, in fact some of the fruity notes are more prominent as a result. The finish is long, minty and sooty.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

High Coast 9yo 2014/2025

High Coast 9yo 2014/2025

Selection, Adelphi
Single malt - Ångermanland
Amber copper
58.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, sandalwood, black pepper, honey, figs, fresh cut grass. With water, honey, leather, hints of figs. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, volatile, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black pepper, figs, sandalwood, honey, blackcurrant cordial, hints of caraway seed. With water, honey, leather, figs. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, blackcurrant cordial, milk chocolate, figs. 

Comments: 

A delicate and floral High Coast, with lots of fig and blackcurrant notes. Good whisky, surprisingly refreshing, and tastes excellent in a highball.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenfarclas 12yo 100 Proof Reserve (selected for Milroys of Soho)

Glenfarclas 12yo 100 Proof Reserve (selected for Milroys of Soho)

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Orange
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, cream, cinnamon, dunnage, white pepper, marzipan, orange peel, hints of dark chocolate. With water, black tea, orange peel, dark chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, mouth coating, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, brown sugar, clay dust, dunnage, black tea, cloves, hints of orange peel. With water, black tea, orange peel, lemon zest, hints of dark chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, dark chocolate, orange peel, dunnage. 

Comments: 

Sweet and luscious, perfectly Glenfarclas and at cask strength too. Lots of spice and sweet citrus and dried fruit notes. Plenty of dark chocolate too. Excellent 12yo whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Arran 11yo 2013/2026

Arran 11yo 2013/2026

Eldym Bottling Expressions, Lachlan Gillies
Single malt - Islands
Dark amber red
59.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, pears, white grapes, wet stones, orange peel, black pepper, thyme. With water, raisins, mint, wet stones, thyme, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, honey, cream, orange peel, black pepper, pears, black tea, hints of aluminium foil. With water, pears, honey, orange peel, black pepper. 
Finish: Short. Aluminium foil, black pepper, ginseng, black tea, honey. 

Comments: 

Really amazing whisky, especially for its age. Lots and lots of sweet honeyed notes, with a metallic edge especially on the tongue. Water brings out a peppery spiciness, which remains on the finish, which is short, intense and bitter.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Avon Distilleries 9yo 2016/2025

Avon Distilleries 9yo 2016/2025

Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Blend
Amber gold
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nectarines, honeydew melons, white pepper, cloves, honey, leather, hints of cinnamon. With water, pear drops, surgical spirit, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Nectarines, honeydew melons, honey, leather, pear drops, cloves, farmyard, dunnage. With water, cloves, leather, dunnage. 
Finish: Medium. Dunnage, cloves, nectarines, honeydew melons. 

Comments: 

Blended whisky, apparently, but I suspect it’s teaspooned something. Clynelish? Not waxy enough. Anyway it’s rather fruity with a slightly dirty, farmyardy edge. Water brings out some more of that slightly mouldy funk.

Verdict:

I like this.

Teaninich 13yo 2012/2025

Teaninich 13yo 2012/2025

Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried apricots, pencil lead, wet stones, ice cream soda, dried mangoes, hints of white pepper. With water, magic marker, wet stones, pencil lead, dried mangoes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens slightly, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Dried mangoes, wet stones, pencil l dead, white pepper, gooseberries, white grapes, hints of nutmeg. With water, cream, lemon zest, orange peel, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, nutmeg, gooseberries, dried apricots, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Fruity and feinty, lots of interesting layered dried fruit, but not very estery. That is, until water is added, and then the pear drops / magic marker notes come out. Very good indeed, even for a Teaninich.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kimchangsoo Gimpo First Edition 2024

Kimchangsoo Gimpo First Edition 2024

Official bottling
Single malt - Gyeonggi
Amber copper
50.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Copper kettles, aluminium foil, black tea, smoke, raisins, sandalwood, ume, hints of prunes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Raisins, ume, prunes, apricots, black tea, roast chicken, sandalwood, aluminium foil, black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Copper kettles, black tea, sandalwood, apricots, hints of farmyard. 

Comments: 

Very flavourful, and quite the sherry bomb. Well blended with plenty of balance, but also with distinct flavours, int is case apricots, ume and copper. Very good whisky indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Filiers 10yo Sherry Oak Matured

Filiers 10yo Sherry Oak Matured

Official bottling
Single malt - East Flanders
Copper brown

43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, dunnage, black pepper, raisins, oak chips, sandalwood, hints of pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, black pepper, rye bread, dunnage, dark chocolate, oak chips. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, rye bread, dark chocolate, black pepper, dunnage. 

Comments: 

Quite sweet, but with a peppery rye note that doesn’t quite work with the rest of the sweet sherry notes. Still, quite an interesting whisky, as Belgium whiskies tend for be.

Verdict:

I like this.