I'm starting to believe that Kavalan is one of the most versatile distilleries out there. Its spirit seems to have chameleon-like tendencies and is equally at home in anything from traditional bourbon oak maturation to the most intense sherry and other fortified wine casks, to virgin oak. This particular bottle is the same kind of … Continue reading Kavalan Bourbon Oak (46%, OB 2020)
Category: 85-89
In Brief: Glendalough 13 (46%, OB 2016)
This is a distillery bottling, but Glendalough's whiskey hadn't come of age yet, so it was sourced from another distillery. It was a very pleasant surprise - quite 'naked' and eau-de-vie-like but not immature, with floral, citrus and stone fruit aromas that were reminiscent of bourbon-matured Bladnoch and Balblair. Irish whiskey can sometimes be a … Continue reading In Brief: Glendalough 13 (46%, OB 2016)
Caol Ila 2003 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice, 2015)
Caol Ila is always reliable and consistent. There are so many releases from independent bottlers (Gordon & MacPhail in particular always have a lot of Caol Ila), and nearly all of them are very good. It's not as great value as it used to be, but there's still a lot of young Caol Ila about … Continue reading Caol Ila 2003 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice, 2015)
Deanston 18 (46.3%, OB 2018)
This is the older-style bottle of the 18 year-old Deanston - the packaging may have had a slight face-lift but the whisky inside is the same. The label says 'bourbon cask finish', which is a bit vague (e.g. was it not in ex-bourbon casks for the main part of its maturation?). After checking with the … Continue reading Deanston 18 (46.3%, OB 2018)
Grace Ile 25 (48%, The Character of Islay Whisky Company 2020)
At the time of writing, I haven't actually seen a single review of this mystery single malt, not even a rating on whiskybase. Never let it be said I'm not on the cutting edge of whisky blogging. This is bottled by The Character of Islay Whisky Company, along with a similarly undisclosed 10 year-old that … Continue reading Grace Ile 25 (48%, The Character of Islay Whisky Company 2020)
In Brief: Glencadam 15 (46%, OB 2020)
Keep an eye on Glencadam. In my opinion, it's one of the most underrated distilleries nowadays. This 15 year-old is an excellent soft and fruity malt, full of barley sugar sweetness and fruit (citrus zest, sweet apples). Highly recommended - very similar to the 10 year-old but with an extra layer of depth. I suspect … Continue reading In Brief: Glencadam 15 (46%, OB 2020)
Benromach 10 (43%, OB 2015)
The distillery is refreshingly honest about the maturation of their 10 year-old: it spends its first nine years in 80% bourbon and 20% sherry casks, before being married for a year in sherry casks. Ever since I first tried it in 2011, the Benromach 10 has remained one of my go-to whiskies both in terms … Continue reading Benromach 10 (43%, OB 2015)
In Brief: Edradour 10 2004 (46% Signatory Un-chillfiltered collection, cask 402)
A single sherry cask by Edradour is never going to be boring. This is full of nutty, earthy sherry cask flavours that mingle perfectly with the slightly dirty nature of the spirit. Perhaps not the most refined whisky, but punchy and full of character. Score: 85/100
Bladnoch 22 1992 (51.6%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams)
This is from a sample bottle bought from Master of Malt, the full-sized bottle unfortunately is no longer available. Bladnoch's current range is still getting up to speed after the new owners restarted production in 2017. They did some unlikely wine finishes, but there now is a new 10 year-old - somewhat overpriced perhaps, but … Continue reading Bladnoch 22 1992 (51.6%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams)
In Brief: Westport 17 1997 (46%, Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited)
Sweet vanilla and orchard fruits - typical Glenmorangie Westport. Quite sweet but not overwhelmingly so, this is balanced by a subtle zestiness in the palate and dryness in the finish. This reminds me a lot of some natural Balblairs, as well as the Glenmorangie 10 - with a few more years in the cask. Perhaps … Continue reading In Brief: Westport 17 1997 (46%, Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited)
The Daily Dram 