Tastes

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 [-]

Gordon & MacPhail's Cask Strength range offered a good selection of high-quality drams before being discontinued in 2018. Matured in a combination of first and refill sherry hogsheads, this 2004 Ledaig could be mistaken for an Islay malt. The nose is complex and engaging with smoked ham, vanilla, iodine, lime and moderate peat smoke. Peppery and bold in the arrival, the taste develops with grapefruit and savory peatiness. Hints of sweetness, tar and a dash of salt characterize the long and warming finish. Peat addicts, do not underestimate Ledaig! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Local spirits can offer interesting variations in flavor, this one from a micro-distillery located in the Black Forest in Germany. Yeasty, slightly dusty and obviously young, the nose opens up with citrus and sour grapes, reminding of a semidry white wine. Arriving almost like a fruit brandy, the palate is oily and bitter-dry with an astringent floral touch. Was this whisky matured in ex-wine casks? Fairly hot around the edges, the finish is short and fresh with fading sourness and hints of wood bitter. A strange malt that tastes unlike anything I've tried before. RATING: 2.4/5.0 stars ≙ 70 pts → SUBPAR [-]

Representing the West Highlands in Diageo's Classic Malts of Scotland, Oban 14 features a mineral and slightly salty character. The aroma is both engaging and complex with juicy blood oranges, toffee, fresh tobacco and a lovely coastal touch. After its briny and spicy arrival, the taste develops with intense wood influence, bitter walnuts and a surprising flash of menthol. Astringent dryness and distant hints of spearmint remain of a weak and quickly gone finish, where chill-filtration has taken its toll. Not the greatest malt of the range, but worth a try. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]

Caol Ila without peat - can that work? To fully enjoy this 18-year-old 'Unpeated Style', you need 3 things: time, water and perseverance. Vibrant and dense, the nose features pastries, lime juice and fresh sea air with a salty-mineral edge. With water, sour and biscuity notes intensify. On the palate, the complex flavor profile continues with apricots, white pepper and herbal spiciness. Full-bodied, oily and slightly dry, the medium finish fades with crisp lemons, salted nuts and a touch of menthol. An extremely rewarding Islay malt, despite its lack of peat. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Orkney's second distillery is often overlooked for a reason: its small range of NAS expressions is poorly presented and shockingly expensive! Matured in first fill American oak, the nose of Scapa Skiren is gentle, creamy and citrusy with notes of pine needles, barley sugar and heather honey. Did you ever taste the Christmas tree? Resin and wood bitter flavors attack the palate with a dry kick, disrupted by hints of sweetness and Ricola cough drops. More bitterness, lemongrass and Earl Grey tea dominate the rather short finish. Back to Highland Park... RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 79 pts → AVERAGE

Prices for Japanese whiskies have skyrocketed in recent years, and bottles like the Yamazaki Limited Edition have become as rare as hen's teeth. On the nose, there is a complex bouquet of lush sherry notes, delicate spices and juicy fruits. Sandalwood, incense and hints of matcha interweave with leather, melon and distant plum liqueur. Feisty and aromatic in the arrival, the taste turns fruity-sweet and gingery in the development, always in perfect balance. Cherries, prunes and mild tannins remain in the finish. A great malt, but heavily overpriced. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

Rye is becoming increasingly popular, and I certainly understand why. It's flavorsome, affordable and has a bit more punch than your average bourbon. Rittenhouse from Heaven Hill is an old classic and a good starting point to explore rye. The nose is unmistakably spicy with loads of cinnamon, cloves and caramelized sugar. Gingerbread, sweet oranges and hints of floral add to the complexity. After a strong and gingery arrival, the taste develops aromatic and semidry, with notes of bitter honey, mint and wood spices lingering in the medium finish. A steal! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

'The folly of one man is the fortune of another', they say. At 45 €, this bottle of 30-year-old Highland Queen was an unbelievable bargain. With a malt content of over 75%, Tullibardine seems to be the main contributor. Oranges, tinned peaches, toffee and a light 'sherry overcoat' define the nose, with notes of banana and nutmeg hiding in the back. The age shows on the palate: fruity, spicy and aromatic flavors take turns, all very balanced and with a surprisingly long and satisfying finish. Forget about 'smooth' - this blend has depth and a real personality! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Closed in 1993 and soon to be revived by Ian Macleod, Rosebank remains one of Scotland's most iconic distilleries. This 21-year-old Special Release was matured in refill American oak and bottled at 55.3% ABV (bottle no. 3579). Biscuity and cereal-driven, the aroma unfolds with citrus cream, pears and a lovely herbal complexity. On the palate, floral and slightly bitter notes intermingle with parsley, barley sugar and a touch of mojito. Minty freshness and lemon zest mark the clean and very elegant finish. A much-missed Lowlander with unrivaled character! RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 91 pts → SUPERB