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.

Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured

Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Dark amber bronze
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Figs, raisins, brown paper, black tea, dark chocolate, cooked rice, dates, hints of peat. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, mouth coating, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, figs, butterscotch, black teac peat, smoke, dates, hints of dark chocolate, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Long. Autumn leaves, dates, butterscotch, smoke, hints of fish sauce. 

Comments: 

A rather good Kilchoman, plenty of sweet notes complementing the distillery character of gentle smoke and dates. There’s some earthiness as well, especially on the finish. Excellent dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

John Crabbie Peated Virgin Oak Cask Matured

John Crabbie Peated Virgin Oak Cask Matured

John Crabbie
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, vanilla, oak chips, peat, smoke, sour cream, hints of farmyard. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Vanilla, peat, smoke, raisins, dried apricots, cream, hints of sour cream. 
Finish: Long. Oak chips, smoke, soot, peat, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Quite harshly peated, but underneath there’s a gentle, light, slightly oily distillate with notes of vanilla and apricots. Decent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Debt Collector Moonshine Cask Aged 2yo

Debt Collector Moonshine Cask Aged 2yo

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coconut cream, honey, malted grains, vanilla, golden syrup, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Blackcurrant cordial, malted grains, white pepper, golden syrup, raisins, hints of saffron. 
Finish: Medium. Golden syrup, vanilla, coconut cream, white pepper, hints of oak chips. 

Comments: 

More Ribena-like than its unaged cousin, quite coconutty too. Lots of sweeter flavours from the wood, even though it’s been in the cask a relatively short time. Starting to taste woody.

Verdict:

I like this.

Debt Collector Moonshine Unaged

Debt Collector Moonshine Unaged

Official bottling 
Single malt - London
Colourless
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemons, new plastic, sea salt, fresh baked bread, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, white pepper, sour cream, lemons, new plastic, hints of saffron. 
Finish: Medium. Lemons, sour cream, white pepper, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Quite malty, but plenty of citrusy notes, including a slightly prickly plasticky one. A little herbal too, there’s a touch of saffron on the tongue. A bit unbalanced.

Verdict:

I like this.

Spirit of North Scotland 48yo 1973

Spirit of North Scotland 48yo 1973

Bartels Whisky
Single grain - Lowlands
Amber brown
25% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, burnt sugar, oak chips, malted grains, ice cream soda, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, static, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Caramel, coconut cream, oak chips, burnt sugar, pear drops, magic marker, orange peel. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, vanilla, pear drops, ice cream soda, hints of oak chips. 

Comments: 

Quite woody, but in this case the low strength works in its favour. It’s not whisky of course, just spirit drink, but it’s taken on quite a lot of the wood flavours. Very interesting indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Filey Bay Moscatel Sherry Cask

Filey Bay Moscatel Sherry Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Yorkshire
Copper
47.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Marmalade, black tea, malted grains, aluminium foil, nutmeg, cinnamon, honey, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Marmalade, malted grains, nutmeg, black tea, orange peel, foam shrimp, lemon zest, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, sea salt, foam shrimp, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Quite saline but plenty of sweet jammy flavours, in particular marmalade. Something slightly flinty and bitter too, especially on the tongue. Really good distillate that matches the cask well.

Verdict:

I like this.

Curraghmore Triple Cask Matured (bottled 2025)

Curraghmore Triple Cask Matured (bottled 2025)

Curraghmore Estate
Single pot still - Leinster
Amber copper
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, malted grains, cream, white pepper, hints of yoghurt. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, astringent, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, foam shrimp, malted grains, white pepper, meringues, hints of yoghurt. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, raisins, meringues, white pepper, gentian. 

Comments: 

Sweet, but also quite spicy and a little lactic. It’s the little pricks of white pepper as opposed to the richer pops of black pepper. It’s sweet and malty and also builds to a nice, slightly bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Distillery Krauss Straight Whiskey

Distillery Krauss Straight Whiskey

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

Nose: Prunes, plums, sandalwood, raisins, oak chips, fresh baked bread, caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, raisins, sandalwood, caramel, brown paper, cream, hints of mushrooms. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, caramel, sandalwood, oak chips, raisins. 

Comments: 

Lots of dried fruit - prunes and plums - but also a nice cereally bready spine. It tastes a little like eau de vie, and less like whisky, but an interesting dram nevertheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

Balmenach 26yo 1999/2025

Balmenach 26yo 1999/2025

Mystery Malt Series 5, Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold 
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, coffee, lemon zest, lime juice, burnt sugar, yoghurt, hints of bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, barley sugar, lime juice, grapefruit, honey, yoghurt, hints of bananas, hints of prunes. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sherbet, lemon zest, lime juice, honey, hints of yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Citrusy yet bitter, with a crisp, caramelly edge. It’s almost burnt caramel, the sort you scrape off the bottom of the pan. Quite a complex dram with a hint of lactic.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardbeg Dolce

Ardbeg Dolce

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Golden bronze
47.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, dried apricots, pears, smoke, peat, golden syrup, driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty bitter. Peat, driftwood smoke, pears, lemon zest, golden syrup, nutmeg, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Long. Golden syrup, oakum, sea salt, peat, smoke. 

Comments: 

Salty, bitter but not as sweet as regular Ardbeg. It’s missing the chocolatey note that I find, instead it’s got golden syrup and nutmeg, rather like smoky bread and butter pudding. Absolutely delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kurayoshi Pure Malt

Kurayoshi Pure Malt

Matsui Shuzou 
Blend
Pale gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mushrooms, yoghurt, malted grains, brown sugar, dark chocolate, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Dark chocolate, leather, malted grains, mushrooms, yoghurt, lemon zest, cinnamon, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, raisins, dark chocolate, leather. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic and tart with earthy mushrooms and bitter dark chocolate. A very simple, straightforward dram, as befits an entry level dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

London Distillery Company Embarque

London Distillery Company Embarque

Official bottling
Single malt - London 
Amber brown 
57.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raspberry jam, malted grains, fresh baked bread, chocolate, hints of rye bread, hints of black pepper. With water, roast chicken, black pepper, hints of new plastic. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, rye bread, raspberry jam, golden syrup, black pepper, hints of new plastic. With water, malted grains, rye bread, hints of new plastic. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, dark chocolate, malted grains, rye bread, hints of new plastic. 

Comments: 

Quite jammy and sweet. The distillery character seems to be a peppery, spicy distillate with feinty mid palate notes. This expression has a long fragrant, slightly bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Prakaan Tribura Series Double Cask

Prakaan Tribura Series Double Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Kamphaeng Phet
Light amber 
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, surgical spirit, malted grains, dried apricots, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, raisins, honey, coffee, malted grains, Demerara sugar, lychees, hints of dried apricots. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, Demerara sugar, malted grains, coffee, hints of black pepper. 

Comments: 

Quite a sweet dram, lots of dried fruit and brown sugar, but with a spirity edge that young, tropically aged whiskies sometimes get. It builds to a nice long spicy finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ki One Unicorn

Ki One Unicorn

Official bottling 
Single malt - Gyeonggi
Copper gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mushrooms, smoke, autumn leaves, lemon zest, pear drops, cinnamon, hay. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Smoke, autumn leaves, hay, peat, pear drops, lemon sherbet, vitamin C tablets, orange peel, photocopy paper, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Lemon sherbet, photocopy paper, hay, autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Earthy and a little grassy, with plenty of smoke and peat. There’s also some citrus sweetness, and a little chalkiness. Plenty of other feinty notes too, especially on the tongue. There is no template for Korean peated whisky, but this could become one.

Verdict:

I like this.

Yamazakura Kuyuri Peated Blended

Yamazakura Kuyuri Peated Blended

Official bottling
Single blend - Tōhoku
Pale gold

46% ABV

Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, menthol, raisins, mint, malted grains, barley sugar, hints of yoghurt. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Menthol, smoke, germolene, peat, honey, barley sugar, lemon zest, nutmeg. 
Finish: Medium. Apricots, menthol, honey, smoke, malted grains. 

Comments: 

I’d guess only the malt part of this is peated. There’s some quite sophisticated notes here - apricots, menthol, and plenty of malty sweetness too. A very pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Langatun 6yo 2016/2022 Madeira Cask

Langatun 6yo 2016/2022 Madeira Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Bern
Amber
49.12% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, black tea, fresh baked bread, coffee, orange peel, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Fresh baked bread, sea salt, raisins, honey, golden syrup, milk chocolate, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, milk chocolate, golden syrup, white pepper, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Lots of dried fruit from the wine cask, with plenty of cereal notes too. A little pepper on the tongue. The finish is glorious - plenty of chocolate and golden syrup, with a fragrant, slightly bitter coffee note.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Prakaan Tribura Series Peated Malt

Prakaan Tribura Series Peated Malt

Official bottling

Single malt - Kamphaeng Phet 
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Soot, creosote, smoke, peat, lemon zest, roast beef, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, static, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Sea salt, roast beef, peat, smoke, golden syrup, malted grains, germolene, hints of rose water, hints of lemon zest. 
Finish: Short. Smoke, malted grains, creosote, peat, hints of lemon zest. 

Comments: 

A decently peated malt, made with what I think is Scottish peat. Lots of medicinal notes, and it’s rather saline. But there’s plenty of sweetness underlying it - golden syrup, some rose and even some lemon.

Verdict:

I like this.

London Distillery Company Yesteryear 6yo (bottled 2025)

London Distillery Company Yesteryear 6yo (bottled 2025)

Official bottling
Single rye - London
Amber brown
52.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Blackcurrant cordial, dried apricots, dried pears, dried blueberries, raisins, black pepper, cloves, hints of farmyard. With water, strawberry jam, dried apricots, magic marker, hints of black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, volatile, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Blackcurrant cordial, dried pears, dried apricots, black pepper, brown paper, golden syrup, cloves, hints of orange juice. With water, pear drops, magic marker, black pepper, dried apricots. 
Finish: Medium. Dried pears, brown paper, golden syrup, orange juice, dried apricots. 

Comments: 

London rye whisky! The obligatory black pepper note is present but it’s overlaid with heaps of other things. Ribena, golden syrup, sweet dried fruit and even cloves. Water brings out estery chemical notes.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ki One Eagle

Ki One Eagle

Official bottling
Single malt - Gyeonggi
Amber gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, orange peel, vitamin C tablets, grapefruit, sandalwood, white grapes, clay dust, hints of parchment paper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, astringent, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Orange juice, orange peel, lemon zest, grapefruit, vitamin C tablets, apricot jam, gentian, fresh cut grass, clay dust. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, gentian, ginseng, fresh cut grass, clay dust, apricot jam. 

Comments: 

Slightly dusty and mineral, but with heaps of fruity flavours. Lots of something chalky and fizzy, like vitamin C tablets. It then builds to a bitter fragrant finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mars Komagatake Single Malt

Mars Komagatake Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Chūbu
Dark gold 
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, peaches, sea salt, vanilla, cinnamon, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Lemon zest, malted grains, white pepper, sandalwood, nori, peaches, hints of germolene. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, malted grains, peaches, apple juice. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fruity with a herbal incense-like character. There’s some savoury notes on the tongue and it ends in a slight hint of something antiseptic, almost earthy. A very decent dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Roberto Grande

Roberto Grande

Official bottling
Single blend - Carniola
Pale gold
41% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, fresh cut grass, pear drops, thyme, vanilla, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Fresh cut grass, aluminium foil, lemon zest, pear drops, thyme, vanilla, hints of germolene. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, aluminium foil, white pepper, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

There’s a fair bit of malt in this blend still, and it’s reminiscent of the single malt - herbal, grassy, something very like gin but with whisky sweetness. I prefer the single malt, but this isn’t half bad.

Verdict:

I like this.

Prakaan Tribura Select Cask Ex Bourbon

Prakaan Tribura Select Cask Ex Bourbon

Official bottling
Single malt - Kamphaeng Phet
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, bananas, orange peel, honey, vanilla, pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Malted grains, surgical spirit, orange peel, pear drops, lemon zest, honey, hints of farmyard. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, bananas, malted grains, surgical spirit, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Thai single malt, aged in the tropics but still rather light and refreshing. Not as heavy as I’d thought, and perhaps the cask was a refill. Still, a decent attempt at a single malt.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ki One Tiger

Ki One Tiger

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

Nose: Hay, cream, orange peel, pear drops, ink, honey, strawberry sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Aluminium foil, honey, raisins, strawberry jam, fresh cut grass, orange peel, cream, hints of vitamin C tablets. 
Finish: Long. Cream, aluminium foil, fresh cut grass, strawberry sweets, ink.  

Comments: 

Very citrusy, but also plenty of creaminess and a slight metallic tang. More complex than the age and cask would suggest. Rather pleasant.

Verdict:

I like this.

Edradour 12yo Oloroso Batch #7

Edradour 12yo Oloroso Batch #7

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark amber red 
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk chocolate, cream, vanilla, raisins, strawberry jam, honey, hints of black pepper. With water, milk chocolate, honey, vanilla, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Milk chocolate, cream, vanilla, raisins, black tea, brown paper, hints of toast, hints of charcoal ash. With water, milk chocolate, honey, vanilla, raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Cream, raisins, black tea, toast. 

Comments: 

Rich and luscious, lots of chocolate and vanilla notes. There’s also plenty of dried fruit and a hint of sootiness. A very good whisky indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Two Brewers Peated Release 38

Two Brewers Peated Release 38

Official bottling
Single malt - Yukon
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Driftwood smoke, honey, malted grains, peat, lemon zest, white pepper, hints of icing sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White pepper, driftwood smoke, lemon zest, apples, autumn leaves, hints of photocopy paper. 
Finish: Long. Photocopy paper, driftwood smoke, peat, apples, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

A rather gentle peated whisky, lots of earthiness and apples, and a little salty smoke. But it’s not very in your face, and quite pleasant for all that. An excellent effort from this Canadian distillery.

Verdict:

I like this.

Two Brewers Classic Release 35

Two Brewers Classic Release 35

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

Nose: Lemon zest, malted grains, vanilla, fresh baked bread, photocopy paper, hints of icing sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, malted grains, nutmeg, toast, pear drops, photocopy paper, hints of cotton sheets. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, cotton sheets, photocopy paper, fresh baked bread, hints of sea salt. 

Comments: 

Quite feinty, with cereal notes and a whisper of something sweet (really just a suggestion). This whisky is indeed quite tart, and on the tongue is mostly feints. Interesting and of reasonable quality.

Verdict:

I like this.

Carpathian Single Malt Marsala Cask (bottled 2023)

Carpathian Single Malt Marsala Cask (bottled 2023)

Official bottling
Single malt - Sud-Muntenia
Golden bronze
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, malted grains, bananas, peaches, cream, hints of strawberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, coffee, white chocolate, peaches, golden syrup, vanilla, hints of strawberries. 
Finish: Short. Cream, peaches, golden syrup, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Quite light and refreshing, but also quite rich with those wine sweet notes lots of stone fruit, honey and golden syrup. A proper peaches and cream whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Virginia Distillery Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish

Virginia Distillery Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish

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

Nose: Peaches, nectarines, malted grains, black pepper, foam shrimp, dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Nectarines, malted grains, foam shrimp, vanilla, dried apricots, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, dried apricots, leather, malted grains, foam shrimp. 

Comments: 

Delicate and rounded, lots of stone fruit notes and barley sweetness. There’s a hint of leather and pick and mix sweets, and a fragrant, slightly bitter finish. Rather good whiskey.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.