Bruichladdich 18 1979 / 1997 Cadenhead 56.1%
Lots of sweet oaky lactones, brown sugar and a slew of dry tobacco and leather. Maillard reaction but also pitchers of fresh grass juice from the spirit. A distinct sweet-sour green … Continue reading
Glen Garioch 21 yo 2003 / 2024 Decadent Drams 55.1%
I like and admire this distillate but admit it can be challenging at younger ages. When mature it has a saline and mineralic character that could well be the poster … Continue reading
Caol Ila 12 yo Bulloch Lade 43%
Not to be slept on. Can I say fresh? Yes it’s old Caol Ila. Dripping with earthy phenols, dry roots, tar, black industrial greases and buckets of soot. But it’s … Continue reading
Aberlour A’bunadh Batch 45 issued 2013 60.2%
A familiar sort of profile, sherry over Speyside, but where you expect eloquence and richness, here the Aberlour feels rather firm and standoffish. Its a forced marriage it seems and … Continue reading
Highland Park Magnus label Gordon & Macphail 70 proof
Turns out to be one of the sherried ones. I find a sticky jam with wrinkled purple fruit covered with plenty of dark honey and cocoa. And glace persimmons. Also … Continue reading
Mortlach 23 yo 1972 / 1996 Rare Malts 59.4%
This one is from a time when Mortlach seemed to me to have less meatiness and more of this lovely dried wax polish on burnished dark wood, medicinal camphor, thin … Continue reading
Clynelish 20yo 1965 / 1985 Cadenhead 46%
Eye watering. A stunning whisky cut from the same cloth as the Giaconne 12s, only with less strength, less wildness but more svelte elegance. Cold air and tree moss, dried … Continue reading
Johnnie Walker Blue ‘The Casks Edition’ 55.8%
This is the first issue of the 1L duty free special from some years ago. Yes a blend, but there are blends and there are blends, this one was an … Continue reading
A Speyside Distillery 1990 Archives 50.9%
So, likely Glenrothes, here au naturel and with good age, offering a clean look at the heart of the spirit. A solid whisky, with a dusty spiciness not unlike rye … Continue reading
Lochside 23 yo 1981 / 2004 Blackadder #616 55.4%
The nose opens like a basket of warm ripe tropical fruit, marking what we are after in these Lochsides, and rather oily, with hints of soot on cold glass and … Continue reading
Smögen 11 yo 2014 / 2025 Whisky Blues #12/2014 60%
Intensely peaty as expected, Concerto 50+ ppm it says, but also – surprise – oily crayons, dried leaf litter, unlit cigars and an earthy farminess. But even together it all … Continue reading
Caol Ila 1981 / 1997 Gordon #2087-2093 62.7%
One of those mad little bottles. Were they simply not reducing new make or what diabolical machinations of the microclimate gods led to these monsters. Even slightly reduced this one … Continue reading
Talisker 1955 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail #1315 50.4%
Phenomenal whisky, a perfect meeting of wood, wine and spirit. Rich as only these old sherried casks can be, with dried fruit and sweet spice overtones but also hints of … Continue reading
Springbank 21 yo 1967 / 1989 Signatory #3137 46%
I admit sometimes I, like many others, view 46% with suspicion. The zeitgeist worships cask strength but when you have examples like this at hand, it makes you wonder. Nosing … Continue reading
Tomatin 19 yo 1977 / 1996 Glenhaven 46%
A real surprise – bursting fruit, the sort you’d think to expect from 1976 so juicy yellow and red hues, round and glistening in fruit baskets in the sun, begging … Continue reading
Irish 28 yo 1989 / 2017 Antique Lions Of Spirits 49.3%
I will never stop carrying the flag for these Irish malts 1987 – 1991, And this one gives no reason to reconsider. Again a wondrously fruity malt, with overtones of … Continue reading
Ardbeg 1977 / 1993 SMWS 33 108.5 proof 62%
You might recall the single vintage 1975 and 1977 put out as regular bottles next to the plain 10s many years ago which introduced many of us to that great … Continue reading
Black Bowmore 30 yo 1964 / 1994 2nd Edition 50%
This and other highly esteemed Black Bowmores have built such a corpus of commentary that it is hard to find any whisky aficionado who hasn’t heard of it. To me … Continue reading
Littlemill 1988 / 2013 Malts of Scotland #13035 52.1%
Yes, perfect marriage of a gentle sherry and fruity spirit. So sticky drops of molasses, dates, caramelized walnut candy and chocolate meet the vibrant yellow and orange buzz of ripe … Continue reading
Longmorn 36 yo 1976 / 2013 Malts of Scotland #13029 53.7%
The nose is immediately complex and expressive with thick chutney, orange blossom water, honey, apricot jam and thick with oils and sweet pastries. Stewed and sweet. Hints of spearmint, bay … Continue reading
Bruichladdich 16 yo 1968 / 1968 for Intertrade 55.5%
The 21 and 15 by Intertrade were excellent, lets see about this one. Well there is depth but not a particularly easy one. Thin resins and brittle old waxes, old … Continue reading
Highland Park 21 yo 1986 / 2007 Duncan Taylor #2252 55.7%
I love 80s and 90s Highland Park for its uncanny weave of salinity, fruit, peat, minerals and luminescence, accomplished with characteristic verve, that blends together all I love in a … Continue reading
Clynelish 18 yo 1997 for Kinko Japan 52.6%
Can we say classic? 1997 Clynelish means hot minerals, paraffin, thick honey, lime zest, oh its plenty citrus-y citric now. Comes back to clean chalk, unripe white peach, The vegetal … Continue reading
Glen Elgin 19 yo 1971 / 1990 Cadenhead 50.4%
This one surprised me in a way I haven’t been in years. Cut green fruit and dusty spice cabinet. Cleaned iron tools with smidges of salt but also medicinal powder, … Continue reading
Ben Nevis 22 yo 1996 / 2019 Single Malts of Scotland #891 50.8%
So this one has that Mortlach-esque sulphur that isn’t really sulphur, but good lord it comes rather close sometimes, at least to someone who doesn’t particularly care for it, like … Continue reading
Clynelish 27 yo 1974 / 2001 Adelphi #2565 56.3%
Another wondrously mineral Clynelish! Sitting somewhere comfortably between those earthy-mineral 1973s and those waxy lush 1972s. This one colours in the edged minerals in paler, more inviting shades and brings … Continue reading
Springbank 34 yo 1966 / 2000 #1966 511 55%
The sharp eyed might say 511 had no neck label, and you are right, my original photo was too poor to use here. Anyway this has to be one of … Continue reading
Lagavulin 23 yo 1995 / 2018 #9001 Select Cask for Ginger 48.7%
A nuanced one perhaps softer, less growling peat, more verdant. Moist fennel, sour green berries overlaying peat and salt. To be sure, classic Lagavulin is present but mellowed by age … Continue reading
Mortlach 26 yo 1993 / 2019 The Whisky Trail by Elixir #85 56.2%
Big boned malt as expected, this one bearing its typical meatiness and that ‘non-sulphurous’ Mortlach sulphur buzzing away on the tongue, but its all precisely calibrated and here the added … Continue reading
Glenburgie 10 yo 1984 / 1994 Gordon & Macphail #2255,2256,2260 59.2%
Whistle clean malt whisky, full of youthful vigor yet to be reined in but showing good development with warm butter, toast, white sugar caramelizing in a pot, ginger and … Continue reading
Glendronach 8 yo WM Teacher’s 40% 75cl
Remarkably vivid notwithstanding the long years and bottle strength. Branchy and resinous with conifers and fresh as spring air, crunchy dried leaves underfoot. A sense of the highlands perhaps. Wisp … Continue reading
Laphroaig 12 yo 1984 / 1996 Cadenhead 60.3%
Things were a bit peatier in the 80s than the decade prior weren’t they. This is full on coastal Laphroaig, funnily enough not far from Caol Ila the decade before. … Continue reading
Glenfarclas 1974 / 2014 Family Casks #8579 57.2%
Big, bold and rich. Prime example of how Glenfarclas character and good sherry is together more than a sum of its parts. Lots of bark, a spoonful of medicine over … Continue reading
Caol Ila 36 yo 1965 / 2002 Gordon & Macphail #4211 45.6%
A delicious churn of tarry, oily, phenolic tones. Emphatic and evocative. The old Caol Ila stood comfortably next to the big four, and right now I have Port Ellen in … Continue reading
Glen Scotia 30 yo 1969 / 1999 Old Malt Cask 50% 94 bottles
94 bottles! A slightly suspicious teaspoon of honey and anise amaro with a lick of soot on salty dough. But on the tongue a very pleasing engine oil, salt water … Continue reading
Springbank 20 yo 1967 Prestonfield #1472 46%
Rich sort of Springbank, close to the sherry and full of the expected chocolate and figs, thick jammy notes, aniseed candy, dusted licorice sticks and the like. But its not … Continue reading
Glentauchers 30 yo 1981 / 2011 Signatory #1049 56.8%
Honestly, a challenging whisky. Yes elements of a sherry overlay are evident, however cursory, but the malt is powerful and strident to the point that sweet cinnamon and red jam … Continue reading
Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin) 29 yo 1974 / 2003 Cadenhead 54.4%
Certainly some little metallic and lubricant touches, like an old sewing machine complete with old piece of white chalk in a corner, makes this whisky a reminder of older but … Continue reading
Fettercairn 30 yo 1988 / 2019 Jack Wiebers Whisky World #2030 47.9%
Whilst Fettercairn can be admired, this particular example is better left admired on a shelf, and far from a glass. Every virtuous quality a malt might be blessed with has … Continue reading
Clynelish 27 yo 1982 / 2010 Nectar of the Daily Drams 59.8%
Might be one of the best 1982s around. This one is honeyed and waxy in a warm but deeply resinous manner, and it’s relative simplicity belies it’s true depth. Little … Continue reading
Bruichladdich 13 yo 2010 / 2024 #2121 for Cyrus & Aloha 62.5%
Massive is an understatement, both in terms of power but also flavour. Here all blackwood and dripping teak oil on geological layers of wood soot and a burnt assemblage of … Continue reading
Port Ellen 16 yo 1979 / 1995 Dun Eideann #303 43%
Always a sense of loss when trying these, and no, new Port Ellen is not Port Ellen. Here a tarry, oil laden peat, full of ancient roots and memory. Suede … Continue reading
‘Elderly Elvis Tilting’ (Glenlivet) 25 yo dramfool 51.2%
How would an elderly Elvis tilt exactly? Jousting perhaps? Very nice whisky though, soft with clear oils, molten butter and malty biscuits. Many little sharp but juicy hints of fruit … Continue reading
Springbank 8 yo Pure Malt for Japan 43%
I don’t think any other distillery has done as many old Japanese issues as Springbank. Overall this one leans rather clean and crisp, with sea air, brine, and lemon pastilles. … Continue reading
Ledaig 18 yo 1972 James MacArthur 54.4%
Its no lie to say 1972 was a very good year for Scotch or that 1972 Ledaig can give 70s Islay a run for its money. This whisky immediately recalls … Continue reading
Irish Single Malt 27 yo 1990 / 2017 Whisky Agency for Whisky Exchange 51.3%
Gorgeous fruity start. Ripe lychee, cantaloupe and pineapple pie filling. Lush and richly textured from nose to finish. Its a while tinned fruit mix, slightly floral like elderflower and chamomile … Continue reading
James MacArthur’s: Glen Spey 21 yo 1970, Macduff 21 yo 1967, Dufftown 13 yo 1978
Glen Spey 21 yo James MacArthur’s 55.4% ~1970 bottled 1991 Spirity, powerful, thick and oily. Juniper and pine air freshener. Little paper flowers. Frankly horrid. 70 pts Macduff 21 yo … Continue reading
Glen Moray 38 yo 1981 / 2019 Whisky Sponge 49.1%
I have a soft spot for well aged malt in refill bourbon. Here it’s many virtues are on display – Christmas cake full of blackcurrants and woody spices. Strong black … Continue reading
Chichibu Heavily Peated 2014 / 2025 Chibidaru #3520 64%
This Chichibu opened my eyes. I am now paying attention to Ichiro-san’s whisky in a way I have never done so before. Obviously, due to climate, you won’t be able … Continue reading
Bowmore 1969 Fecchio & Frassa 6638 58%
This noses like the slam of a very precise hammer on a very special nail at a very exact spot. In that precious regard I say cut from the same … Continue reading
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