Tastes

Sponge toffee, creamy vanilla, dark chocolate covered strawberries, candied ginger, light smoke.

Dalmore 12, Highland, 93 pts. Nice body, with a drying finish. Roasted nut, fruitcake, restrained spicing.

Belvenie double wood, Speyside, 92 pts. Floral honey, pleasant spice, subtle dried fruit & nut.

Bowmore 15, Islay, 97 pts. The modest Islay peat with a solid sherry finish is really a perfect marriage.

Talisker Distillers Edition: 2006, bottled 2016. 99 pts. Not quite as much body or sherry as the ‘88, but certainly great.

Caol Ila 12, Islay, 93 pts. Pleasant smoke, but not a lot of depth.

Glenlivet Founders Reserve. 88 pts. Apparently this no age statement is replacing their 12. Odd aroma of eucalyptus and/or menthol? Flavour is very floral, with pear, toffee and oak. Hints of liquorice & menthol. Smooth, but not my style.

Johnny Walker Double Black, blend, 94 pts. Huge smoke (like a campfire) with a little peat character, oak, light butterscotch & sponge toffee sweetness, hint of floral character.

Glendronach 12, 94 pts. Aged exclusively in Oloroso & PX barrels. Aroma: Toasted marshmallow and fruit cake (candied pineapple, maraschino cherry, golden raisins, light spice), apple pie. Flavour: fruitcake (like aroma, but more raisin, with some fig and marzipan), sherry, vanilla, oak, honey, toffee, baked apple, pear. Moderate body shows some leg, light sweetness with a drying finish.

Teachers Highland Cream, Blended Grain. 84 pts. They say it’s at least 45% malt, and a large portion is lightly peated Ardmore. Flavours of honey, toffee, licorice, light nut and a hint of citrus rind. It’s a smooth, easy drinker with subtle flavours.