Time for a series of Glengoyne reviews, and what better place to start than the 12 year-old? Glengoyne is one of my favourite distilleries, both because the whisky is delicious and because it's a great place to visit. Yes, it's a bit touristy (especially given its proximity to Glasgow), but there's always a warm welcome, … Continue reading Glengoyne 12 (43%, OB 2018)
Tag: whisky
A Fine Christmas Malt (54.2%, The Whisky Exchange 2019)
The Whisky Exchange's Christmas malt is now a tradition, and last year saw the release of a 10 year-old Speyside whisky. The label doesn't say, but it comes from Linkwood. Its reception wasn't quite as enthusiastic as it could've been - the fact that its predecessor in 2018 was a 17 year-old Glenfarclas may have … Continue reading A Fine Christmas Malt (54.2%, The Whisky Exchange 2019)
Craigellachie 13 (46%, OB 2019)
Craigellachie aren't quiet about the fact that they like to do things differently. For example, while most distilleries remove the sulphur that occurs as part of the distillation, the Craigellachie style actively embraces it: the use of worm tubs for instance helps preserve sulphur notes and create the big, meaty character that the brand is … Continue reading Craigellachie 13 (46%, OB 2019)
Sirius 31 (43.1%, North Star Spirits 2020)
North Star Spirits are quickly becoming one of my favourite independent bottlers. From naming blends after stars to identifying undisclosed distilleries via co-ordinates on the labels, they certainly do things their own way. This release follows hot on the heels of the Vega series - a set of sherried Speyside blended malts that ranged from … Continue reading Sirius 31 (43.1%, North Star Spirits 2020)
Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold (43%, OB 2017)
Dalwhinnie was one of the first Diageo distilleries to follow in Talisker's footsteps and release and entry-level no-age statement expression (I'm still amazed there isn't a Lagavulin NAS to be honest). Like all such expressions, this one comes with a story that explains its name, except it's not as fanciful as I had expected (I … Continue reading Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold (43%, OB 2017)
Edradour 10 2004 (cask 400) Straight From the Cask (60.7%, OB 2014)
A 10 year-old single cask Edradour from a sherry butt bottled at a mighty 60.7% ABV - I don't think I need to say more. Except I will, because if the introduction doesn't exceed 55 words the formatting gets weird. It took me a while to get into Edradour, mainly because I was never particularly … Continue reading Edradour 10 2004 (cask 400) Straight From the Cask (60.7%, OB 2014)
Nikka From the Barrel (51.4%, OB 2019)
Now that Japanese whisky is 'the best whisky in the world', all of a sudden even entry-level malts like the Yamazaki 12 are considered premium expressions. Good quality blends are equally hard to find at decent prices, but Nikka from the Barrel is a welcome exception to this rule. I always found the name a … Continue reading Nikka From the Barrel (51.4%, OB 2019)
Kavalan Bourbon Oak (46%, OB 2020)
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)
Port Charlotte Scottish Barley (50%, OB 2017)
Terroir matters for Bruichladdich, as the packaging states, which explains why this Port Charlotte was made with barley grown exclusively in Scotland. Barley is often an international affair, with distilleries importing it from as far as Ukraine for example. Bruichladdich have of course produced even more local varieties of their whisky, moving closer to Single … Continue reading Port Charlotte Scottish Barley (50%, OB 2017)
Glen Marnoch 29 (40%, Aldi Christmas Release 2017)
This was the second of the now-traditional Christmas releases from Aldi, which have all featured impressively aged Scotch single malts (as well as Irish whiskeys) at even more impressive prices. The first release in 2016 was a heavily sherried whisky almost certainly from Mortlach, as was indicated by the tell-tale bottling strength of 43.4% ABV. … Continue reading Glen Marnoch 29 (40%, Aldi Christmas Release 2017)
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