Glen Scotia 12yo Tawny Port Edition
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raspberries, damson jam, pears, malted grains, orange peel, pecans, honey. With water, honey, pears, hints of peaches.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, expands, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Pear drops, malted grains, lohan fruit, orange peel, winter melons, hints of peat. With water, pears, lemon zest, winter melons, hints of pecans.
Finish: Long. Lohan fruit, winter melons, peat, orange peel, malted grains.
Comments:
Sweet and slightly sooty, with a distinct peaty note that is buried under a lot of fruity notes. Water brings out even more fruits and an additional sweet nuttiness that brings to mind pecans.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 17 October 2025
Benriach 17yo 2007/2024
Benriach 17yo 2007/2024
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
47.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, vanilla, sourdough bread, yoghurt, lemon zest, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, cool, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Vanilla, sourdough bread, peaches, malted grains, molasses, hints of nutmeg.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, molasses, Demerara sugar, peaches, hints of sourdough bread.
Comments:
Fruity and very bready, lots of slightly tart notes that are also reminiscent of yoghurt. There’s some caramelly, sugary sweetness in the finish but it’s almost the absence of tartness rather than a proper sweet note.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
47.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, vanilla, sourdough bread, yoghurt, lemon zest, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, cool, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Vanilla, sourdough bread, peaches, malted grains, molasses, hints of nutmeg.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, molasses, Demerara sugar, peaches, hints of sourdough bread.
Comments:
Fruity and very bready, lots of slightly tart notes that are also reminiscent of yoghurt. There’s some caramelly, sugary sweetness in the finish but it’s almost the absence of tartness rather than a proper sweet note.
Verdict:
I like this.
Barton 1792 Sazerac Barrel Select for Milroy’s
Barton 1792 Sazerac Barrel Select for Milroy’s
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber gold
62.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Desiccated coconut, oak chips, vanilla, maple syrup, vanilla, white pepper. With water, white pepper, acetone, oak chips, pear drops.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Sweet. Eucalyptus, oak chips, vanilla, desiccated coconut, orange peel, honey, oak chips, white pepper. With water, white pepper, honey, acetone, maple syrup.
Finish: Long. Black pepper, oak chips, cookie dough, orange peel.
Comments:
Quite fragrant, lots of nail varnish and pear drops notes. There’s also some coconut, which reminds me of grain rather than bourbon. Water brings out even more acetone.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber gold
62.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Desiccated coconut, oak chips, vanilla, maple syrup, vanilla, white pepper. With water, white pepper, acetone, oak chips, pear drops.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Sweet. Eucalyptus, oak chips, vanilla, desiccated coconut, orange peel, honey, oak chips, white pepper. With water, white pepper, honey, acetone, maple syrup.
Finish: Long. Black pepper, oak chips, cookie dough, orange peel.
Comments:
Quite fragrant, lots of nail varnish and pear drops notes. There’s also some coconut, which reminds me of grain rather than bourbon. Water brings out even more acetone.
Verdict:
I like this.
Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition
Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition
Official bottling
Single rye - Virginia
Amber
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, black pepper, orange peel, custard, brown paper, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, static, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, black pepper, orange peel, brown paper, fresh baked bread, hints of gentian.
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, brown paper, vanilla, hints of gentian.
Comments:
Rather bitter for a rye, lots of fragrant notes and some peppery spiciness. It’s also quite bready, which is a little odd, but that pepper note still comes through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single rye - Virginia
Amber
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, black pepper, orange peel, custard, brown paper, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, static, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, black pepper, orange peel, brown paper, fresh baked bread, hints of gentian.
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, brown paper, vanilla, hints of gentian.
Comments:
Rather bitter for a rye, lots of fragrant notes and some peppery spiciness. It’s also quite bready, which is a little odd, but that pepper note still comes through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Callington Mill Invicta
Callington Mill Invicta
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber, hints of pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, strawberry jam, cream, rhubarb and custard sweets, black tea, hints of vanilla sponge.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, vanilla sponge, orange peel, strawberry jam, marmalade, milk chocolate, fresh baked bread, hints of shortcrust pastry.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh baked bread, strawberry jam, marmalade.
Comments:
Pure port finish. Jammy, but with hints of orange and marmalade this time, with a bready, pastry note on the tongue and on the finish. Again, much better at the higher ABV.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber, hints of pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, strawberry jam, cream, rhubarb and custard sweets, black tea, hints of vanilla sponge.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, vanilla sponge, orange peel, strawberry jam, marmalade, milk chocolate, fresh baked bread, hints of shortcrust pastry.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh baked bread, strawberry jam, marmalade.
Comments:
Pure port finish. Jammy, but with hints of orange and marmalade this time, with a bready, pastry note on the tongue and on the finish. Again, much better at the higher ABV.
Verdict:
I like this.
Callington Mill El Sol
Callington Mill El Sol
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, vanilla sponge, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, red grapes, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, coffee, cocoa nibs, black pepper, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, raspberry jam, coffee.
Comments:
Aged in a combination of sherry casks, Fino, Amontillado, PX and Oloroso. Chocolatey, lots of bitter cocoa too, but plenty of sweet fruity jam. The extra ABV is helpful, indeed essential.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, vanilla sponge, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, red grapes, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, coffee, cocoa nibs, black pepper, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, raspberry jam, coffee.
Comments:
Aged in a combination of sherry casks, Fino, Amontillado, PX and Oloroso. Chocolatey, lots of bitter cocoa too, but plenty of sweet fruity jam. The extra ABV is helpful, indeed essential.
Verdict:
I like this.
Callington Mill Enigma
Callington Mill Enigma
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry jam, damson jam, honey, malted grains, fresh baked bread, black tea, hints of brown paper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, vanilla sponge, damson jam, honey, hints of custard.
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, orange peel, damson jam, honey.
Comments:
Aged in port and sherry casks. Quite sweet as you’d expect, but also endowed with a peppery bitterness. It’s decent but rather low strength, which takes away some of the complexity.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry jam, damson jam, honey, malted grains, fresh baked bread, black tea, hints of brown paper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, vanilla sponge, damson jam, honey, hints of custard.
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, orange peel, damson jam, honey.
Comments:
Aged in port and sherry casks. Quite sweet as you’d expect, but also endowed with a peppery bitterness. It’s decent but rather low strength, which takes away some of the complexity.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 10 October 2025
Tamdhu 14yo 2008/2022
Tamdhu 14yo 2008/2022
Cut Your Wolf Loose, Woolf Sung
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
60.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, damson jam, orange peel, cloves, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, malted grains. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Malted grains, damson jam, black pepper, honey, milk chocolate, brown paper, strawberry jam. With water, coffee, milk chocolate, brown paper, damson jam.
Finish: Long. Malted grains, honey, oats, damson jam.
Comments:
Very sweet, sherried dram, lots of strawberry jam and damson jam. Water brings out a chocolate note, with coffee and nore sweet jammy stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Cut Your Wolf Loose, Woolf Sung
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
60.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, damson jam, orange peel, cloves, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, malted grains. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Malted grains, damson jam, black pepper, honey, milk chocolate, brown paper, strawberry jam. With water, coffee, milk chocolate, brown paper, damson jam.
Finish: Long. Malted grains, honey, oats, damson jam.
Comments:
Very sweet, sherried dram, lots of strawberry jam and damson jam. Water brings out a chocolate note, with coffee and nore sweet jammy stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Speyburn 15yo 2008/2024
Speyburn 15yo 2008/2024
Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
60.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pears, vanilla, orange peel, white grapes, edelweiss, white pepper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Pears, yoghurt, white pepper, white grapes, cream, strawberry jam, edelweiss, hints of orange blossom.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, cream, pears, orange blossom.
Comments:
Very fruity whisky, lots of pears and grapes. Also a mount floral note, like white flowers or edelweiss. No need for water, this just slipped down.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
60.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pears, vanilla, orange peel, white grapes, edelweiss, white pepper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Pears, yoghurt, white pepper, white grapes, cream, strawberry jam, edelweiss, hints of orange blossom.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, cream, pears, orange blossom.
Comments:
Very fruity whisky, lots of pears and grapes. Also a mount floral note, like white flowers or edelweiss. No need for water, this just slipped down.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
New Riff Single Barrel B16-3518
New Riff Single Barrel B16-3518
Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber gold
52.15% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black pepper, rye bread, leather, vanilla, photocopy paper, dried apples, hints of dark chocolate. With water, black pepper, vanilla, coffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Black pepper, cherries, honey, cough syrup, cooked rice, dried apples, dark chocolate. With water, sea salt, rye bread, coffee.
Finish: Short. Dark chocolate, cherries, honey, black pepper.
Comments:
A rather sweet rye, but with that black pepper spiciness. Water brings out more of the rye cereal flavour, and a coffee bitterness. Other than that, lots of dried apple notes.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber gold
52.15% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black pepper, rye bread, leather, vanilla, photocopy paper, dried apples, hints of dark chocolate. With water, black pepper, vanilla, coffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Black pepper, cherries, honey, cough syrup, cooked rice, dried apples, dark chocolate. With water, sea salt, rye bread, coffee.
Finish: Short. Dark chocolate, cherries, honey, black pepper.
Comments:
A rather sweet rye, but with that black pepper spiciness. Water brings out more of the rye cereal flavour, and a coffee bitterness. Other than that, lots of dried apple notes.
Verdict:
I like this.
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