Tastes
-
Springbank 15 Year (Old Label)
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed March 22, 2024 (edited March 25, 2024)In all these years, I have never come across a bad bottling of Springbank. The 15-year-old expression is more sherried and surprisingly peaty compared to its younger brother. On the nose, you get smoked salmon, confectionery and pipe tobacco. A touch of damp earth, cough syrup and parsley linger in the back. The taste is strong, savory and a bit fizzy with mineral peat smoke, orange peel and fresh ginger. Almost like a distant dream of Islay, whispering farewell in its long and slightly dry finish. Altogether, this is a rewarding single malt and a great value. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS68.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength (Batch 24)
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed March 16, 2024 (edited March 19, 2024)Batch variation should be celebrated, showcasing a whisky from year to year in different guises. An intriguing nose awaits, where plums, ginger and whiffs of a dunnage warehouse compete with lemon zest, bay leaves and restrained peat smoke. Orange zest, pepper and herbal peatiness accompany the bold arrival, emphasizing spicy, bitter and sour flavors. Water unlocks sweet notes of milk chocolate, marmalade and peach. Citrus fruits, walnuts and black salsify linger in the solid finish. A good batch of Springbank 12, but not an outstanding one. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS195.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength (Batch 13)
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed March 6, 2024 (edited March 16, 2024)We do not comment on the packaging, do we? Springbank has always done things a little differently, but their success has proved them right. On the nose, mineral freshness, peat smoke and rich sherry notes combine with nuts, concrete and odors of an old TV screen. The palate takes you on a journey through the flavor wheel: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savory, it's all there. A real shapeshifter, both complex and well-balanced, culminating in a long, substantial and semidry finish. At only 12 years of age, this cask strength whisky could hardly be any better! RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 91 pts → SUPERB60.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 10 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed February 25, 2024 (edited March 2, 2024)Springbank is the real deal. Worshipped by enthusiasts worldwide, this 10-year-old won the accolade of best Scotch in the 2023 OSWAs. No hype, it's consensus. On the nose, I'm picking up orange zest, TUC crackers and oysters, interwoven with bonfire ashes, cayenne pepper and mustard. The intense arrival features citrus fruits, pears and currants, sweet and sour, followed by savory, juicy and peaty notes. Firm mouthfeel. Dried herbs, cinnamon and salmiak carry over into the prolonged and earthy finish. I'm happy to join the chorus singing this malt praises. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]80.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 10 Year (Old Label)
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed February 17, 2024 (edited February 19, 2024)Traditional production, craft presentation and outstanding quality - it's hard not to like Springbank. Ever-changing, dense and complex, the nose is a true chameleon. Gentle peatiness, crisp apples and bitter herbs harmonize with sweet malt, old leather and mineral-earthy notes. Tasting strong, aromatic and spirit-driven (no rough edges), this young Campbeltown malt combines well-integrated peat smoke, mild fruitiness and hints of salt with a robust, substantial and chocolaty finish. It's simply one of the best core range releases you can find these days! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]40.0 EUR per Bottle -
Method and Madness Single Malt Enhanced With French Oak Casks
Single Malt — Ireland
Reviewed February 10, 2024 (edited February 13, 2024)When I saw this bottle on offer for 35 €, I simply couldn't help myself. A 14-year-old Irish malt with a craft presentation? That's a no brainer. Appealing notes of orchard fruits, ginger and Belgian waffles ascend from the glass, and there are hints of lemon zest, physalis and honey. On the palate, creamy toffee, fresh apples and oak spices gravitate towards mango, walnuts and a touch of juniper. The slightly resinous finish accentuates caffè latte, salted caramel and guava. Again, I couldn't help myself and bought three backup bottles, make of that what you will. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]35.0 EUR per Bottle -
Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed January 28, 2024 (edited January 30, 2024)Some reviewers argue that age statements are becoming less important, but I've to disagree. That said, there are a few exceptions. The nose of Glen Scotia Victoriana is very old school, combining porridge, spiced oranges and tobacco with sea spray, sweet licorice and peppermint. Loads of spices and citrus fruits kick off the punchy arrival before aniseed, wood smoke and ginger unfold. There is definitely some older stock in here. Cinnamon, brown sugar and hints of salt sparkle in the savory finish. Credit where credit is due, this malt has a lot going for it! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS75.0 EUR per Bottle -
Deanston 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed January 14, 2024 (edited February 11, 2024)I am somewhat guilty of neglecting Deanston so far, and I am not even sure why. To me, it has always been the least interesting distillery in the Distell portfolio. On the nose, apple pie, honeydew melon and lemongrass mingle with malty and cereal-rich notes. Nothing sticks out, but it is quite pleasant. Spicy and drying flavors surprise on the palate before it mellows with juicy fruits, peppery oak and a touch of cider. A few drops of water help. Orange zest, honey and lingering spices migrate into the savory and floral finish. I am certainly not disappointed. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE43.0 EUR per Bottle -
GlenDronach Revival 15 Year (2018 Release)
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed December 26, 2023 (edited December 28, 2023)GlenDronach's brand reputation tanked when Brown-Forman decided to remove the 'non-chill filtered' from the label, but let's give this malt a chance. Appealing and rounded, the nose combines apricots, raspberries and cherry jam with walnuts, mint and baking spices. The light and juicy arrival is followed by drying oak, eucalyptus and dark chocolate. Black tea, orange zest and notes of coffee remain in the medium-length finish. It is a quaffable modern sherry whisky, but this 'Revival' comes nowhere close to the old batches released under Billy Walker. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]93.0 EUR per Bottle -
Referring to both Charles MacLean and a rocky outcrop on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, Maclean's Nose is a new malt-forward blend by Adelphi. Hints of tinned peaches, sea salt and grilled cod rise from the glass, and there is a lovely interplay of citrus fruits, grist and slightly earthy notes. Mineral, briny and quite oily, the taste emphasizes black olives, herbal peat smoke and white pepper. Green walnuts, bitter lemon and a touch of menthol subside in the medium-length finish. This bottling knocks it out of the park, no wonder people are raving about it. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE32.0 EUR per Bottle
Results 1-10 of 236 Reviews