East London Liquor Co Radikon Merlot

East London Liquor Co Radikon Merlot

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Orange brown 
47.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, malted grains, vanilla, honey, plums, strawberry jam, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Malted grains, orange juice, lemon zest, damson jam, strawberry jam, cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Damson jam, malted grains, barley sugar, orange juice. 

Comments: 

Cask 485. Orangey and sweet sour, there are some clear hints of the wine cask finish. Lots of damson jam notes especially on the tongue and the finish. On the nose it’s plums.

Verdict:

I like this.

New Riff 4yo 2021/2025

New Riff 4yo 2021/2025

#22, The Heart Cut
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber brown
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Walnuts, toffee, coffee, molasses, cough mixture, cherries. With water, walnuts, toffee, molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, volatile, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Mint, cherries, cough mixture, blackcurrant cordial, walnuts, marmalade, hints of coffee. With water, cherries, vanilla, cough mixture, popcorn. 
Finish: Medium. Cough mixture, walnuts, cherries, marmalade. 

Comments: 

Love me a new Heart Cut when they come out. This one is like walnut praline, with lots of mint and cough mixture on the tongue. It’s quite intense, not much of the brown paper note that so many bourbons have.

Verdict:

I like this.

The English Heavily Smoked Cask Fusion

The English Heavily Smoked Cask Fusion

Official bottling
Single malt - East Anglia
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, smoke, raisins, honey, lemon sweets, hints of coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Lemon sweets, raisins, coffee, autumn leaves, smoke, germolene, peat. 
Finish: Long. Autumn leaves, smoke, peat, germolene. 

Comments: 

Smoky and peaty, some medicinal antiseptic notes. There’s also an earthiness that is quite prominent in the tongue. Plenty of salty lemon sweets, a bit like some Caol Ilas.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ludlow Cider Brandy Cask

Ludlow Cider Brandy Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Shropshire 
Dark gold
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, mushrooms, malted grains, fresh cut grass, coffee, lemon sweets. With water, apples, toffee, lemon sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, syrupy, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Molasses, apples, cinnamon, lemon sweets, toffee, vanilla, caramel. With water, apples, malted grains, caramel. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, apples, cloves, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Some slightly odd mushroom notes at the first nose, but these pass to reveal toffee apples and cinnamon flavours on the tongue. It’s a nicely bodied whisky too, oily and substantial without being too heavy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Wireworks Port Wine LBV

Wireworks Port Wine LBV

Official bottling 
Single malt - Derbyshire 
Orange gold
53.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, orange juice, malted grains, vanilla, strawberry jam, white chocolate, honey. With water, orange juice, malted grains, dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, volatile, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, orange juice, white chocolate, black tea, red grapes, honey, golden syrup. With water, dried apricots, malted grains, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Golden syrup, malted grains, orange juice, white chocolate. 

Comments: 

Fruity, sweet and rich, lots of buttery white chocolate notes. It enriches everything up to and including the finish. Water brings out pleasing notes of dried apricots.

Verdict:

I like this.

Adnams 9yo Sauternes Finish

Adnams 9yo Sauternes Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - East Anglia
Copper orange
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, raisins, pear drops, magic marker, molasses, carrots, cinnamon, hints of mushrooms. With water, magic marker, applesauce, carrots, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Magic marker, pear drops, orange blossom, coffee, molasses, cloves, peaches, hints of carrots. With water, pear drops, applesauce, cloves, cinnamon. 
Finish: Long. Golden syrup, molasses, pear drops, cloves, hints of carrots. 

Comments: 

This whisky tastes like carrot cake, plenty of that sweet vegetal note with lots of pear drops and various other estery flavours. Water brings out more spice notes.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Masthouse Distillery Exclusive

Masthouse Distillery Exclusive

Official bottling
Single malt - Kent
Orange amber
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, nori, black pepper, malted grains, rye bread, rubber bands, hints of new plastic. With water, new plastic, rye bread, hints of rubber bands. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, evaporates quickly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, cooked rice, black pepper, nori, rye bread, honey, hints of strawberry jam. With water, cooked rice, raisins, nori, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Long. Cooked rice, honey, raisins, strawberry jam. 

Comments: 

Quite a lot of rye-like spice, with a plasticky note. Might be my sample bottle (which would be a shame) but somehow I don’t think so. I’ve encountered the same note before in Masthouse whisky.  I must say I like the cereally starchy note that comes out when you add water.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The Peated

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The Peated

Official bottling
Single rye - East Highlands
Dark gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, lemon zest, black pepper, rye bread, coriander, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Vanilla, lemon zest, black tea, black pepper, coriander, smoke, sea salt, peat. 
Finish: Short. Peat, smoke, black pepper, coriander, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Quite herbal, plenty of that peppery rye note, but also married to peat, smoke, lemons and rye bread. Quite balanced, peated rye whisky definitely works. More please.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The PX

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The PX

Official bottling
Single rye - East Highlands
Dark amber 
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, turpentine, raisins, pear drops, rye bread, orange blossom, hints of pine needles. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Turpentine, rye bread, orange blossom, sea salt, marmalade, honey, vanilla, black pepper. 
Finish: Short. Orange blossom, black pepper, sea salt, rye bread. 

Comments: 

Quite a chemical tasting whisky, the spicy rye note has been transmuted to oily turpentine and maybe some pine. It’s surprisingly salty, lots of rye bread and sea salt come to the fore in the mouth.

Verdict:

I like this.

Pokeno Discovery

Pokeno Discovery

Official bottling
Single malt - Waikato
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, roses, nashi pears, malted grains, molasses, coffee, hints of burnt sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, slightly volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Strawberry jam, raspberry jam, honey, wine gums, molasses, hints of burnt sugar. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, molasses, cloves, coffee. 

Comments: 

Very jammy but also laden with bitter, caramelly notes. The two (berry jam and bitter notes) clash a little, they fight for supremacy on the tongue. Who wins is a little dependent on what you had before.

Verdict:

I like this.

Virginia Distillery American Single Malt Cider Cask

Virginia Distillery American Single Malt Cider Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Virginia
Pale gold
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, vanilla, white wine, nutmeg, peaches, pears, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, astringent.
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Barley sugar, white grapes, pears, green apples, white wine, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, hoppy beer, white wine, barley sugar. 

Comments: 

Quite an appley whisky, but with a high level

Of maltiness and even some fermented grape notes. A very Scotch like single malt, which actually makes it quite unusual for American whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ben Nevis 10yo 2015/2025

Ben Nevis 10yo 2015/2025

Single Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - West Highlands
Amber copper
54.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, smoke, rubber bands, bacon, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, cinder toffee. With water, pear drops, cinder toffee, bacon, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Rubber bands, raisins, fresh baked bread, orange peel, cinder toffee, hints of nutmeg. With water, raisins, cinder toffee, cream, smoke. 
Finish: Long. Golden syrup, orange peel, raisins, cinder toffee. 

Comments: 

Quite a smoky sulphurous dram, but it’s paired with sweet orange peel notes, lots of raisins and bread. Water brings out even more smokiness, with the same long sweet finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Philharmonia Macduff 16yo 2008/2025

Philharmonia Macduff 16yo 2008/2025

Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Figs, dates, raisins, honey, cloves, fresh baked bread, orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla sponge. With water, orange peel, vanilla sponge, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, expands, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Dates, raisins, cloves, orange peel, coffee, black pepper, black tea, vanilla sponge. With water, orange peel, coffee, cinnamon, vanilla sponge. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, black pepper, raisins, cloves. 

Comments: 

Cask 130900362. A really decent sherried dram, bottled by Milroys for the London Philharmonic. Lots of bready raising notes, with the obligatory dried fruit. Water brings out some spicy coffee notes, almost like a tiramisu.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kilbeggan Double Distilled 11yo

Kilbeggan Double Distilled 11yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Amber gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, lemon sweets, malted grains, green apples, fresh cut grass, hints of yoghurt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, static, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. Green apples, malted grains, peaches, fresh cut grass, white grapes, honey, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Green apples, nutmeg, white grapes, cinnamon, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Tart and light, lots of volatility, which brings evaporating notes of green apples, grass and white grapes. No water, it’s too light, but it’s quite intense on the tongue with a little spiciness.

Verdict:

I like this.

Lochlea 7yo

Lochlea 7yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nectarines, pears, malted grains, honey, green tea, lemon zest, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, expands, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. Pears, nectarines, fresh cut grass, malted grains, green tea, lemon zest, nutmeg. 
Finish: Short. Pears, nectarines, malted grains, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Complex and fruity, lots of zesty citrus and stone fruit. There’s some grassy tannins as well, like a good green tea. The finish is short and quite intense. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glendronach 15yo Sherry Cask Matured

Glendronach 15yo Sherry Cask Matured

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, chocolate, raisins, honey, leather, black pepper, hints of farmyard. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Chocolate, raisins, malted grains, black pepper, brown paper, hints of farmyard. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, black tea, black pepper, raisins. 

Comments: 

Exactly what you’d expect, sweet and raisiny, with an interesting little kick of something farmyardy on the tongue and nose. It’s a nice chocolatey, slightly bitter finish too.

Verdict:

I like this.

Blair Athol 27yo 1975/2003 Rare Malts

Blair Athol 27yo 1975/2003 Rare Malts

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber copper
54.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, papayas, dates, cream, peaches, hints of smoke. With water, leather, papayas, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, cola nuts, dates, cream, papayas, white pepper, hints of smoke. With water, leather, papayas, raisins, dates. 
Finish: Long. Hoppy beer, papayas, aluminium foil, dates, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Lots of dried fruit, even the tropical fruit notes are reminiscent of the dried preserved version rather than the fresh. Water brings out a meaty leathery note, almost giving it more body. A lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Blair Athol 29yo 1988/2017

Blair Athol 29yo 1988/2017

No Tie Required, The Whisky Agency
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
51.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, white pepper, wet stones, peaches, cream, hints of aluminium foil. With water, lemons, peaches, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Wet stones, chalk, malted grains, cream, barley sugar, white pepper, lemon zest, hints of pears. With water, malted grains, wet stones, lemons, white pepper. 
Finish: Long. Cream, barley sugar, wet stones, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Quite a sweet dram, but there’s some complex earthiness, almost a chalky minerally flavour along with the malty notes. Water brings out the maltiness along with a citrus zing.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bowmore 1992

Bowmore 1992

Caledonian Selection, Liquid Gold
Single malt - Islay
Bright gold
62% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, pineapples, lemon sweets, autumn leaves, burning leaves, hints of charcoal ash. With water, burning leaves, pear drops, pineapples, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, thick, hot. 

Tasting:  Sour sweet. Pineapples, pear drops, lemon sweets, smoke, charcoal ash, peat, tarry rope. With water, peat, charcoal ash, lemon sweets, hints of peanuts. 
Finish: Long. Honey, smoke, pineapples, pears, peat. 

Comments: 

Smoked barbecued fruit, something I always find in 90s and 00s Bowmore. Lots of ashy smoke too, like it’s been left on the barbecue too long. Water brings out more ashiness. A perfect Burns Night dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Holyrood 3yo 2021/2025

Holyrood 3yo 2021/2025

Single Cask, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold
53.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, malted grains, orange peel, nutmeg, photocopy paper, brown paper, hints of tobacco leaf. With water, orange peel, lemon curd, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Green tea, peaches, photocopy paper, brown paper, sandalwood, nutmeg, fresh baked bread. With water, photocopy paper, peaches, lemon curd, malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, nutmeg, sandalwood, cornflakes, hints of nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Cask 12150. Quite citrusy and weighty, lots of layered flavours with a good degree of intensity. Water brings out a dry paperiness and more lemon curd, as well as stone fruit. A good dram, a fine example of young whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Eden Mill 2018 Release

Eden Mill 2018 Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber gold
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, lohan fruit, sea salt, nutmeg, cloves, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, raisins, chocolate, lohan fruit, raspberry jam, cloves, tobacco leaf. 
Finish: Medium. Lohan fruit, raisins, cloves, chocolate, cream, tobacco leaf. 

Comments: 

Light and refreshing, lots of fruit notes. Typically early release whisky, flavoured with sherry casks for sweetness and maximum appeal. A decent dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Circumstance 3yo Inaugural Grain Whisky

Circumstance 3yo Inaugural Grain Whisky

Official bottling 
Single grain - Bristol
Pale orange gold
42.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, sandalwood, molasses, cream, vanilla, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, tingly, slightly warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Fresh baked bread, honey, raisins, orange peel, vanilla, brown paper, cinnamon, hints of leather. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, honey, fresh baked bread, raisins. 

Comments: 

1:11:129:37 - not quite sure what these codes mean. Last number is number of months in cask perhaps. It’s cereally and rather sweet, young, fresh and intense. Quite a nice dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Reservoir Wheat 2yo Batch 1

Reservoir Wheat 2yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single grain - Virginia
Amber
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nectarines, strawberries, honey, green tea, photocopy paper, hints of condensed milk. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green tea, nectarines, honey, lemon zest, white pepper, chamomile, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, chamomile, nectarines, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Fruity, lots of herbal notes, but they’re quite gentle and mostly in the background. No water required, I felt that would kill some of these gentle background notes. A rather short finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

The Cairn 3yo First Peek

The Cairn 3yo First Peek

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Amber orange
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, orange peel, grapefruit, green tea, honey, hints of cream. With water, cream, vanilla, peaches, green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, clay dust, orange peel, grapefruit, honey, lemon zest, green tea, hints of coffee. With water, cream, honey, peaches, green tea. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, white pepper, honey, orange peel, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Really intense flavours, lots of citrus and malty sweetness with a fragrant coffee note lurking in the background. Water brings out more honey, cream and some tannins. A very good inaugural bottling. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Jack Daniels American Single Malt (Oloroso Sherry Cask)

Jack Daniels American Single Malt (Oloroso Sherry Cask)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Tennessee
Amber red
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, brown paper, aluminium foil, molasses, brown sugar, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Aluminium foil, molasses, brown sugar, brown paper, black pepper, coffee. 
Finish: Short. Coffee, black pepper, aluminium foil, brown sugar. 

Comments: 

Sweet, malty, but with much of that brown paper note that characterises American whisky for me. Some metallic notes apparent on the tongue to keep it interesting, and then a short intense finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

End of the World Whisky Blend

End of the World Whisky Blend

Master of Malt
Blend
Amber
44.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, raisins, malted grains, white grapes, honey, prunes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, astringent, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, cooked rice, white grapes, peaches, orange peel, malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Coffee, raisins, malted grains, orange peel. 

Comments: 

A fruity, fun blend, lots of cereal notes alongside too. It’s a bit one dimensional but that’s what blends are meant to do. Highly enjoyable and a very decent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Timorous Beastie

Timorous Beastie

Douglas Laing
Blend
Golden
46.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, cream, honey, heather, lemon zest, nectarines, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green apples, cream, lemon zest, honey, molasses, cinder toffee, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Gentian, smoke, cinder toffee, honey. 

Comments: 

Quite a complex blend, with a distinctive smoky appley note. It’s builds to a complex finish that is both smoky and sweet. A very elegant whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenallachie 15yo

Glenallachie 15yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, chocolate, raisins, black pepper, brown butter, molasses, hints of cooked rice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, honey, chocolate, molasses, black pepper, fresh baked bread, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, honey, raisins, hints of brown butter. 

Comments: 

Nutty, sweet and cereally, lots of chocolate and molasses. No water required, it’s extremely easy drinking and easy on the nose and tongue. A very approachable dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

New Riff 8yo

New Riff 8yo

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

Nose: Cola nuts, strawberry jam, oak chips, milk chocolate, black pepper, vanilla, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, slightly astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, strawberry jam, cola nuts, milk chocolate, cream, apricots, black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Apricots, strawberry jam, brown sugar, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

I prefer bourbon to be aged a bit more than 5 years, so this is good for me. Quite chocolatey and sweet, builds to a long fruity finish. A good dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

For the Dolls 13yo

For the Dolls 13yo

Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Golden, hints of copper 
54.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, malted grains, white pepper, lemon zest, sandalwood, cotton sheets. With water, pears, lemon zest, cotton sheets, sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Malted grains, lemon zest, cotton sheets, peanuts, fresh cut grass, hints of yoghurt. With water, pears, malted grains, acetone, fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Medium. Molasses, yoghurt, white pepper, vanilla, pears. 

Comments: 

Bottled in support of trans rights. Quite lactic, with plenty of laundry smells and fresh lemons. Water brings out notes of pears and acetone, then it turns more herbal and grassy. Quite an interesting dram, rewards time and introspection.

Verdict:

I like this.

Great Jones Distillery Reserve 10yo

Great Jones Distillery Reserve 10yo

Official bottling
Single bourbon - New York
Amber
52.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, oak chips, chocolate, cream, honey, brown sugar. Wit water, honey, cola nuts, oak chips. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, honey, white pepper, chocolate, brown sugar, malted grains. With water, honey, brown sugar, sandalwood, honey. 
Finish: Long. Oak chips, brown sugar, malted grains, chocolate. 

Comments: 

A Manhattan distillery, makes creamy, chocolatey whisky. This one is quite sweet and honeyed, takes water well. - very interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aberfeldy 18yo 1999 Handfilled Cask #3

Aberfeldy 18yo 1999 Handfilled Cask #3

Official bottling 
Single malt - Central Highlands
Mahogany
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, camphor, roast beef, malted grains, chocolate, white pepper, hints of cream. With water, camphor, honey, orange peel, hints of roast beef. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, astringent, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, white pepper, sandalwood, orange peel, chocolate, honey, hints of cloves. With water, chocolate, white pepper, honey, orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Camphor, white pepper, orange peel, cloves. 

Comments: 

Herbal and rich, but with a creaminess that’s quite lactic. Paired with the other dominant note of chocolate, it’s really quite delicious. Water brings out more chocolate, honey and orange peel. A very good whisky indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Aberfeldy 18yo 1998 Handfill

Aberfeldy 18yo 1998 Handfill

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden brown
55.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Camphor, white pepper, malted grains, mangoes, orange peel, cream, vanilla. With water, raisins, malted grains, white pepper, hints of camphor. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. White pepper, raisins, orange peel, mangoes, chocolate, cream, hints of coffee. With water, malted grains, raisins, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Long. Camphor, cream, orange peel, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Herbal and spicy, reminds me of nothing so much as an alcoholic Irn-Bru. Water brings it more maltiness and more peppery spice. Long and herbal finish, extremely enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kidalton 22yo

Kidalton 22yo

Vintage Reserve, Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Islay
Amber gold
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, passionfruit, mangoes, malted grains, apple juice. With water, lemon zest, germolene, apple juice, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, hot, mouth coating.  
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Mangoes, smoke, peat, apple juice, malted grains, lemon zest. With water, lemon zest, sea salt, smoke, apple juice. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, smoke, coffee, dark chocolate, peat. 

Comments: 

Not your usual Ardbeg, doesn’t have the deep chocolate and coffee notes. Instead it’s quite fruity, with plenty of tropical fruits including mangoes and passionfruit. Water brings out a saltiness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Coperies Single Malt (French Fortified Wine Cask Finish)

Coperies Single Malt (French Fortified Wine Casks Finish)

Official bottling
Single malt - Poitou-Charentes
Amber 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Molasses, raisins, raspberry jam, black pepper, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, cool, expands slightly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Molasses, raspberry jam, magic marker, surgical spirit, dark chocolate, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, dark chocolate, orange peel, vanilla, hints of new plastic. 

Comments: 

Very estery with lots of volatile flavours. Notes of antiseptic and surgical spirit predominate, followed by a wave of dark chocolate. It’s got a bitter, fragrant finish, mostly coffee with some estery fruit.

Verdict:

I like this.

Pe5

Pe5

Elements of Islay, Specialty Drinks Ltd
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold 
57.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Creosote, lemon juice, tarry rope, fish sauce, dates, angelica root, smoke, hints of star anise. With water, dates, leather, acacia honey, hints of star anise. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Creosote, peat, smoke, soot, dates, sea salt, magic marker, star anise, hints of acacia honey. With water, leather, soot, dates, lemon juice. 
Finish: Medium. Creosote, soot, peat, smoke, lemon juice, magic marker. 

Comments: 

Quite bitter and savoury, with complex layers of flavour. Water brings out some sweetness, alongside a big wave of soot. A rather chemical dram but well aged with huge complexity.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.