Tastes

The concept of vintage bottlings with a craft presentation is a prominent feature of Balblair. Distilled in 2003 and matured in ex-bourbon casks for 12 years, the aroma of this young single malt accentuates crisp apples, salted caramel and blossom honey. Tastewise, expect a roller coaster ride of zesty, sour and at times unpleasantly dry flavors. Is it possible to distill lemons? Bitter oakiness, thyme and hints of sweet ginger accompany the short finish. Malt beginners beware! This Highland whisky is demanding and most likely not to everybody's taste. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]

It's hard to find words that do this single malt justice. For many connoisseurs, Highland Park 25 is the Holy Grail of the distillery's official bottlings, and rightly so. I could literally spend hours with my nose in the Glencairn. Dark fruits, white chocolate and juicy oranges take turns with spices, cocoa beans and rummy notes. An explosion of sweet, dry and peppery flavors coats the palate while being perfectly balanced and complex at the same time. Distant hints of smoke remain of a prolonged, sweet and spicy finish. This Orcadian whisky is liquid gold! RATING: 4.7/5.0 stars ≙ 93 pts → SUPERB [+]

Fancy bottle, marketing-driven NAS presentation and a hefty price tag: why on earth would I review Highland Park Dark Origins? Because it's surprisingly good! Heavy sherry aroma with spices, baked apple and distant peat smoke greets the nose. I get raisins, dates, polished wood and, oddly enough, menthol cigarettes. The taste is sweet, then astringent, before the sweetness returns with walnuts, black tea and well-measured sherry cask influence. After a savory and mildly peaty finish, I must confess I am almost sad that this whisky has been discontinued. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

As one of the more unknown distilleries, Glen Moray is a bit off the radar. However, sometimes there is more than first meets the eye. The shy Speyside nose of this 12-year-old expression offers fresh fruits, orange peel and honey. With water, the fruitiness intensifies with sour plums, apricots and marzipan. On the palate, sweet and malty flavors combine with bitter lemon, cinnamon and a touch of wood spices. Short but pleasant in the finish, the aftertaste fades with hints of chocolate and licorice. A refreshingly honest and reasonably priced single malt! RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 80 pts → AVERAGE

Named after a rocky inlet in the northwest of Islay, Kilchoman Sanaig is the distillery's second NAS core range bottling beside 'Machir Bay'. What a flattering nose! Cooked fruits, cloves and bonfire smoke harmonize with toffee, marshmallows and hints of salt. After a mouth-watering and warming arrival, the sherry cask influence becomes more prominent. Imagine peaty sweetness, wood tannins, brine and lemon zest, lingering on the palate for endless minutes. Almost reminiscent of Lagavulin DE, this young single malt scores with quality and character. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

Whisky is now produced all over the world, so let's try Slyrs Classic from Germany. Established in 1999, Slyrs distillery uses primarily new American oak casks to mature their single malts. The nose is perfumy and youngish with sweet pastry, vanilla powder and fresh flowers, and there are occasional notes of ginger, apple juice and bubble gum. This malt is not shy! Arriving punchy and aromatic, the taste is quite cask-dominated and slightly spirity with hints of walnuts. Bitter chocolate dominates the simple finish. Oktoberfest with Bavarian whisky? Why not. RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]

I am not a huge fan of NAS whiskies. With few notable exceptions, you are simply paying more to get less. After Nikka discontinued all single malts with age statement, I thought this Yoichi would be a big disappointment. Well, I was wrong. Full and fruity with growing hints of smoke, the nose features sour plums, milk chocolate and incense sticks. Rich fruitiness, green tea and a potpourri of sweet, bitter, dry and spicy notes add up to a well-composed palate. The finish falls a bit short and fades rather quickly. Nevertheless, a pleasant surprise. Wabi-sabi! RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Octomore's little brother Port Charlotte from Bruichladdich distillery is the peated NAS equivalent of 'The Classic Laddie'. Bottled at 50% ABV, the nose is obviously spirity and slightly rough with vegetal peatiness, brine and creamy citrus. With water, you get unripe banana, pickles and black pepper. Crisp and zesty in the arrival, the taste develops dry and mineral with honeydew melon, herbal spiciness and hints of oak. The finish is lasting and delicate with peat smoke and green tea. Although a bit pricey, it's not bad for a relatively young Islay single malt. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Using a combination of malted and unmalted barley, Green Spot is a prime example of traditional, triple distilled Irish single pot still whiskey. Sweet apple pie, freshly cut grass and cereals feature prominently on the nose, and there are hints of pineapple, avocado and burnt cookies. After a light and floral arrival, the taste develops more grainy and yeasty with peach juice, fine spices and a touch of lemongrass. It's a bit thin and watery at times. The finish is moderate but altogether pleasant with mild oak, vanilla and licorice. This stuff is dangerously drinkable! RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Located upon the Highland Line, there have been endless whisky debates as to whether Glengoyne is technically a Lowland distillery. Be that as it may, their 15-year-old single malt has definitely earned your attention. The nose is complex and intense with fresh fruits, grainy toffee and confectionery. Honey, sour apples and lemons intermingle with kiwi, sucrose and hints of white wine. Flavorwise, cinnamon, floral vanilla and walnuts add up to a rich and quite aromatic mouthfeel, followed by an earthy, slightly dry and oak-dominated finish. A lovely dram! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]