Tastes
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Benromach has the potential to become the Springbank of Speyside, but regrettably some minor flaws remain. Complex and balanced, the nose interweaves delicate bonfire smoke, orange peel and green apples with polished wood, leather and gentle spices. The peppery arrival is dominated by tangerines, eucalyptus and a blanket of leafy peatiness before it turns mineral, briny and slightly dry mid-palate. Savory, citric and mildly bitter notes drift into the long finish. Gordon & MacPhail needs to tackle the low bottling strength, and let this whisky shine! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]40.0 EUR per Bottle
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The first-ever peated single malt from the Faroe Islands features the raven, a bird deeply embedded in Norse mythology. Notes of butterscotch, lemon peel and digestives reach my nose, complemented by nettles, sea salt and puffs of mineral peat smoke. Citrus fruits, peppermint and eucalyptus hit the palate before zesty, resinous and mildly peaty flavors start to intensify. It is very charismatic despite its youth. Grapefruit, tannins and a touch of brine push into the lasting finish. This Einar's captures the landscape and distinct climate of this remote location. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]130.0 EUR per Bottle
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Invergordon 25 Year (The Good Spirits Co.)
Single Grain — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed June 5, 2024 (edited June 16, 2024)Stocks of older single grains are dwindling rapidly, and real bargains are hard to find. The Good Spirits Company picked one of these gems, and it's pretty affordable, too. On the nose, custard, almonds and sweet popcorn mingle with sawdust, ginger and hints of chamomile. Coconut cream, vanilla and honey are prominent on the palate, while peppery spices intensify. Water is recommended to tame the initial heat. Icing sugar, lemon peel and green tea fade in the fresh and oak-driven finish. For a mid-aged grain whisky, this Invergordon ticks all the boxes! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]80.0 EUR per Bottle -
Port Dundas 1988 27 Year (Douglas Laing)
Single Grain — Lowlands, Scotland
Reviewed May 19, 2024 (edited June 7, 2024)I like oddities, drams that are out of the ordinary, different or even strange. The nose of this single grain is a bit unusual to say the least, I get effervescent tablets, raspberry powder and bee sting cake. Notes of baking spices, cereals and distant wood smoke evolve. Honeyed and peppery in the arrival, the palate develops with green walnuts, blueberries and charred oak. It turns aromatic, herbal and almost peaty. Mild citrus fruits, floral vanilla and a touch of coffee linger in the grassy finish. This Port Dundas is full of surprises, unveiling a singular flavor profile. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS125.0 EUR per Bottle -
You don't get on the list of top 10 worst whiskies without reason, and this Lebanese 'pure malt' is only surpassed by Bolanachi from Egypt. Sour and sickening notes of biowaste, burned plastic and cheap deodorant emerge from the glass, while my inner voice whispers 'Don't drink this!'. The brutal punch of raw alcohol is accompanied by moldy fruits, stale beer and the distilled content of a cold ashtray. To add insult to injury, the finish is sickly sweet, persistently bitter and not short at all. An awful experience, I fear this dram will haunt me for a long time. RATING: 0.2/5.0 stars ≙ 15 pts → DREADFUL66.0 EUR per Bottle
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Springbank 10 Year Sherry Wood PX Cask
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed April 28, 2024 (edited June 16, 2024)Highly anticipated, extremely sought-after, unobtainium - is this controversial bottling actually worth it? Rich, heavy and earthy, the nose highlights molasses, strawberries and tobacco, while the peat is taking a backseat. Plums, cocoa and farmy notes appear. Dense flavors of stewed fruits unfold on the palate before it turns peppery, mineral and slightly peaty. The Springbank DNA is concealed under a thick layer of PX, think sugar-coated funk. Berry purée, oak spices and gentle peat smoke mark the decent finish. A good dram for sure, but it feels a bit forced. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS390.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 18 Year 2022 Edition
Single Malt — Campbeltown , Scotland
Reviewed April 13, 2024 (edited April 21, 2024)Purple, the color associated with royalty, spirituality and of course Springbank 18. On the nose, spiced oranges, grapefruit and funky notes take turns with incense sticks, bandages and parsley. A complex flavor explosion kicks off the arrival: sweet, sour and bitter, then savory, peaty and briny. I won't even try to decipher this malt, it is truly sophisticated and will overwhelm an inexperienced palate. Lime juice, subtle peat smoke and hints of salt lead into the prolonged, zesty and herbal-fresh finish. This distillery remains a mystery, an enigma. It is… purple! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]266.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 15 Year
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed March 30, 2024 (edited April 4, 2024)What is Springbank's secret? Everything is done on site, from malting to bottling. No flannel, it's just authentic whisky. Dense and complex, the nose blossoms with dark cherries, ripe oranges and whiffs of smoke. Sea salt, sweet tobacco and burned matches creep in. On the palate, stewed fruits, dates and dark chocolate mingle with marmalade, eucalyptus and drying oak. The peat comes and goes, there is a lot to unpack. After Eights, cocoa and licorice fade in the mineral and slightly dirty finish. No wonder this stuff does not hang around on the shelves! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]150.0 EUR per Bottle -
Springbank 15 Year (Old Label)
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed March 22, 2024 (edited June 16, 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
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