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)
Tag: 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)
The Daily Dram 