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.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
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.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
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.
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.
Friday, 19 June 2026
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.
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.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, 5 June 2026
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.
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
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)