Reviews

'Darkest' - that's what they called this Bowmore, packed full of artificial colorant. A bit of a mockery? The nose is earthy and slightly salty with bonfire ashes, rubber and unripe plums. Dates, cedarwood and some soapy notes shine through. On the palate, the thin arrival is slowly picking up steam with orange zest, licorice and savory peat smoke, and I'm getting pink grapefruit, resin and dark chocolate. Hints of marzipan, pineapple and caramel carry over into the sooty aftertaste. They did not completely butcher it, but this bottling could be so much better. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Old Bushmills can be absolutely magnificent, and this single cask from Irish whiskey bonder J.J. Corry is a prime example. On the nose, I'm met with honeydew melon, pears and hints of banana, followed by mango, light citrus and ginger. It needs time to open up. The palate veers towards tropical fruits, cough drops and custard, joined by guava, peppery spices and marzipan. Rich and creamy mouthfeel. Toffee, grapefruit zest and spearmint round off the long and sophisticated finish. It is not often that I wax lyrical about Irish whiskey, but this malt is a peach. RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

The Whisky Fair in Limburg is one of the world's premier whisky events, and I couldn't leave without this year's festival bottling. Notes of dark cherries, rhubarb and walnut cake reach my nose, and I'm getting lemon balm, oak spices and a touch of miso soup. Intense and peppery in the arrival, the palate evolves with strawberries, currants and resinous wood. Water emphasizes balsamic vinegar, baked apples and unripe peaches. Cough drops, plums and salmiak accompany the long and cask-dominated finish. This Bunnahabhain is a ruthless sherry monster! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

We usually don't expect much from official bottlings, but perhaps that's a mistake. Wildflower honey is nailing it on the nose, think of summer meadows, sweet oranges and baked apple. Fresh herbs, white pepper and milk chocolate shine through. On the palate, juicy peaches, pineapple and toffee turn this Speysider into a true delight. Did I just pour another dram? Drying oak, ginger and citrus fruits balance off the sweetness. The medium finish is lingering with honeydew melon, lemon zest and aniseed. This Glenlivet has far exceeded my expectations! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

In today's whisky market, new distilleries have no room for failure - it's make or break. Therefore, I'm glad to report that Aberargie is doing things right. Notes of canned peaches, apricot jam and lemon drops reach my nose, balanced off by ginger, white pepper and baked apple. Sweet and zesty in the arrival, the palate is led by oranges, grapefruit and gentle wood spices. Despite its youth, this malt is thoughtfully made and quite tasty. Dried fruits, menthol and lime fade in the medium finish. First impressions count, and this inaugural release is very promising. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Andrew knows what he is doing, and when he puts 'Symington's Choice' on a bottle of Signatory, you just buy. The nose of this Royal Brackla flourishes with jaffa cakes, tangerines and rich cereal notes, and I'm picking up herbal teas, fresh ginger and hints of mango. Juicy oranges, peaches and honey kick off the palate, giving way to gentle oak spices, red apples and a touch of eucalyptus. This cask nailed it - what a delicious dram! Dark cherries, spearmint and lime juice migrate into the satisfyingly long finish. I had to buy two more bottles - enough said. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

Caol Ila is not only my favorite distillery, but it's also one of the most versatile malts in terms of flavors - here from a rye cask. Briny peat smoke, green apples and lime start off the nose, rounded off by kippers, pipe tobacco and rubber. On the palate, lemon drops, salted caramel and honey give way to peppermint and smoldering peatiness. The rye adds bolds spices and green notes, resulting in a Springbank-like complexity - sweet, sour, salty, savory and herbal, it's all there. Eucalyptus, aniseed and oysters subside in the long and ashy aftertaste. I'm loving it! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

Nicknamed the 'death star', Roseisle is modern malt factory capable of producing any style of whisky, thus threatening smaller distilleries in the Diageo portfolio. Initially quite floral and biscuity, the nose leans towards orchard fruits, breakfast cereals and potato fritters. A bit odd, but not unpleasant. Orange zest, crisp apples and peppery spices lead the intense arrival, followed by honey, pears and resinous oak. It benefits from water. The slightly tropical finish sparkles with gooseberries, lime and marzipan. A good whisky - but far too expensive for what it is. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Undisclosed Laphroaig, 31 years in a refill hogshead - a moment of bliss taking me to the windswept shores of Islay. Briny, mineral and distinctly maritime, the peat smoke on this nose has settled, allowing lemon zest, tobacco and oysters to come through. On the palate, pineapple, mango and grapefruit compete with ginger, herbs and dry peatiness. Intense mouthfeel. Peppery, savory and slightly salty, the glowing embers of a long and satisfying finish slowly fade with the setting sun over Islay. A stunning dram that desperately begs for another sip. RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 92 pts → SUPERB

Old school sherry casks - they are so much better than their seasoned counterparts. As soon as I put my nose to the glass, I'm getting polished mahogany wood, plums and roasted coffee. The sweetness is restrained, emphasizing aromatic, dry and mineral notes. Spent matches, menthol and tobacco emerge. Flavorwise, cocoa, bitter oranges and peppery oak spices are balanced off by stewed fruits, walnuts and eucalyptus. Dark chocolate, fresh mint and lime juice linger in the prolonged finish. I'm relieved that this malt isn't too dry - a sublime Bunnahabhain! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]