Tastes

Peat is certainly not the first thing which comes to your mind when thinking of Lowland whiskies. As a relatively new distillery built for the production of blends, Ailsa Bay surprised with this release. Notes of wet hay, floral peat smoke and burned moss form the nose. Water brings out citrus, sweet BBQ and hints of fennel. The taste falls a bit flat: aromatic peatiness, grapefruits and heather honey struggle with the youthfulness of the spirit. Bitter lemon, salted licorice and mineral peat remain in the long finish. A promising start despite the lack of maturity. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

What an awesome looking glass decanter! But does the quality of Willett Pot Still Reserve live up to the appearance of the bottle? Well, if you have a sweet tooth, you are going to love this bourbon. Sticky honey, confectionery and cheese cake dominate the nose, enriched by apricots, mild spices and hints of sage. On the palate, the rye and barley content of the mash bill becomes more obvious. Sweet and spicy flavors take turns with fresh notes of floral, leading to a satisfying, medium-length finish. Although not spectacular, this is skillfully made bourbon. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Always a bit off the beaten track, Balblair was one of few distilleries sticking to vintage bottlings until just recently. Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2015, the aroma of this Highlander is a true delight. Blood oranges, papaya and delicate spices intermingle with cereals, lemongrass and hints of cocoa. A complex and well-balanced flavor profile marks the palate: fruity-sweet and spicy at first, the taste develops more floral, aromatic and mildly acidic. Chocolaty-bitter, warming and almost sparkling, the prolonged finish waves farewell. A great single malt to savor! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

With its combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, The Hielan' offers a nice twist to the GlenDronach theme. Thumbs up for the age statement! On the nose, fresh fruits, butterscotch and beeswax are interwoven with vanilla, cinnamon and hints of thyme. Punchy, crisp and spirit-driven, the palate takes over with citrus-honey, pepper and a touch of arugula. A gentle hug from the casks appears towards the finish, leaving behind a nutty/grassy aftertaste. Although I do prefer the sherry monsters, this young malt qualifies for a perfect everyday dram. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Indian whisky has never been very high on my list, but curiosity finally convinced me to give Amrut's core range bottling a try. Fresh citrus, vanilla and a touch of oak spice offer a pleasant but rather simple nose. Green apples, mango and sweet malt linger in the back. The palate reminds of a misbehaving teenager: young, immature and not very harmonic, I am struggling to enjoy this dram. Lemon, ginger and some bitter green tea rescue the medium finish. I know there are better versions of Amrut available, but where is the 'Indian identity', I wonder? RATING: 2.7/5.0 stars ≙ 76 pts → SUBPAR [+]

Showcasing some of the lesser-known distilleries in the Diageo portfolio, Flora & Fauna gives you access to whiskies that usually go into blends. Dailuaine 16 is a Speysider with a singular style. Both intriguing and complex, the aroma features earthy sherry notes, plums and oranges, enriched by cocoa, dates and hints of rose water. Cherries, mint and emerging wood spices form the palate, supplemented by strawberries, herbal bitterness and a whisper of peat smoke in the lasting finish. This malt is definitely one of the best F&F expressions left today. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

In times where fake Japanese whisky is flooding the market, it is refreshing to have malts like Akashi. Originally a sake producer, Eigashima built White Oak Distillery in 1984. The nose of this single malt is very Japanese: polite, elegant and restrained. Yeast dough, maple syrup and shortbread mix with anise, lime and hints of baked apple. Honey-sweet and full-bodied in the arrival, the taste develops gingery and oaky with matcha green tea, juniper and sour berries. Licorice, fresh herbs and fading tannins mark the substantial finish. What a pleasant surprise! RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

St. Patrick's Day, time to review some classic Irish single pot still whiskey! Like a whisper of spring, the nose of Redbreast 12 features fresh vegetation, clover and heather honey. Pears, apricots and melon intermingle with cereals, green malt and hints of sherry. On the palate, there is an interesting potpourri of floral vanilla, unripe banana and lemongrass, interrupted by peppery kicks of wood spices from the casks. Lingering freshness, nuts and mildly dry citrus zest remain in the subtle finish. It's a unique style of whiskey, and you can't go wrong with it. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Branded as the world's most heavily peated whisky, Octomore is not for the faint of heart. Edition 07.1 combines 208 ppm, 59.5% ABV and 5 years of cask maturation in American oak. Mineral, fresh and less peated than expected, the nose unfolds with lemons, anise and fatty bacon. With a fiery blast of peat, the taste explodes on your palate: pepper, ash and spices mask hints of sweetness, lime and mint. Intense, briny and slightly bitter, the finish hangs around for hours. The rawness and pure energy of this spirit is outstanding, but so is the price tag. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

My recent interest in rye led me to explore some of the main brands, today Woodford Reserve from Kentucky, USA. With only 53% rye in the mash bill, it appears fairly tame and 'bourbon-y'. Sweet spices, caramel popcorn and herbal honey form the nose, mixed with pineapple, walnuts and hints of fresh wood. The taste is spicier, oak-driven and slightly spirity with notes of bitter oranges, cloves and mild pepper. Lingering wood spices and orange zest remain in the medium finish. A perfectly drinkable rye, but less punchy and bold than Rittenhouse. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]