Tastes

From time to time, it can be useful to 're-calibrate' our sense of smell and taste with a simple, easy blended Scotch. Famous Grouse features a light and fuzzy nose with some toffee sweetness, coal smoke and hints of citrus fruits. On the palate, the use of exhausted, old casks becomes quite obvious. Thin, malty and dominated by grain whisky, there are faint notes of brown sugar, maple syrup and ash that lead into a plain, uninspiring and honey bitter finish. It's not the worst blend there is, but a strong reminder why I am a single malt aficionado. RATING: 2.5/5.0 stars ≙ 74 pts → SUBPAR

If you are on a malt treasure hunt, watch out for the word 'discontinued'. GlenDronach 15 was easily the best whisky of the distillery's core range. The nose is overwhelmingly complex with balsamic vinegar, overripe berries, raisins, maraschino cherries and a touch of mint. A rich and powerful sherry arrival underscores the caliber of the casks used in maturation. Notes of coffee, dark chocolate, cinnamon and walnuts mingle with dried fruits, herbs and tannins. Substantial, savory and pleasantly spicy in the finish, this bottling is a real beauty of a single malt! RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 91 pts → SUPERB

Oh. My. God. On our whisky journey, there eventually comes a moment where we instantly realize: this is it. The one single malt we have always been looking for. Caol Ila 30 is the crown of the distillery's OB (bottle no. 0181, 55.1% ABV). Smoldering bonfire smoke, zesty citrus fruits and notes of an old, earthy salt cellar enchant the nose. On the palate, the sweet and sour arrival migrates towards vegetal peatiness with well-balanced, mildly bitter wood spices. And the finish? Excellent. Intense, aromatic and slowly abating. Dare I say perfect? Slàinte! RATING: 5.0/5.0 stars ≙ 95 pts → PERFECT

Pedro Ximénez cask maturation holds a certain magic that is hard to explain, and combined with some fine Oloroso butts you get a true sherry monster of a single malt! On the nose, there is a nice interplay of intense sweetness and fruity acidity with pears, melons and hints of eucalyptus. After a rich brown sugar arrival, the taste gets more aromatic and slightly dry, featuring a pleasant oak complexity. The finish of GlenDronach 12 is long, delicate and chocolaty bitter. This malt is a keeper of consistently high quality and a better choice than Macallan. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Westering home and a song in the air... What a craft presentation of an unpeated Islay single malt with a lovely natural color in the glass! The nose is elegant and amazingly complex with old leather, gentle spices and Mon Chéri confectionery. Notes of walnuts, orange peel and raisins disguise distant hints of brine. Intensely aromatic and yet well-balanced on the palate, you get distinct wood spices, stewed tea and dried fruits with honey, leading into the lasting, warming and peppery bitter finish. Bunnahabhain 18 is a high-class all-rounder, even without peat! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

It is about time to return to the Lowlands, a whisky region often overlooked and underestimated by connoisseurs. Auchentoshan 18 is reminiscent of a flower garden with zesty citrus fruits, pipe tobacco and hints of green tea. Crème brûlée, milk chocolate and oak spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) unfold a complex aroma. Spicy and gingery in the arrival, the taste develops mildly bitter and grainy with notes of vanilla, brown sugar and roasted nuts. The finish is understated, cask-dominated and fades quickly. All in all, a sound but fairly overpriced single malt. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

As coastal malt from the Northern Highlands, Old Pulteney 12 is unlike many other whiskies: it's not made to be 'pleasant'. What you get is a demanding flavor profile, strength of character and a real personality. On the nose, there is a complex bouquet of bitter honey, tropical fruits, fresh ginger and hints of sea salt. The taste alternates between caramel sweetness, orange zest and savory notes before the oak kicks in and leads to a moderate, herbal crisp and rather dry finish. A rewarding single malt that requires time, patience and some experience! RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

This triple distilled, almost Lowland-style variation of a Springbank malt claims to be unpeated. On the nose, there are orange zest, unripe apples and unexpected incense smoke. Hints of chocolate, dried fruits and marzipan indicate sherry cask influence. Arriving spicy and gingery, Hazelburn 12 tastes delicate and nutty with notes of roasted almonds, orange marmalade and coconuts. Traces of peat? Most definitely! The finish is of medium length, aromatic and oak-dominated. Altogether, an interesting but quite expensive Campbeltown single malt. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Imagine an old wooden fishing boat, crusted shells and wet seaweed drying on a rocky coastline, and you get a fairly good impression of this Island blended malt. The nose of 'Rock Oyster' is maritime, briny and moderately peaty with hints of citrus fruits and honey. If only the taste would be on par with the aroma! Arriving fresh, zesty and peppery sweet, there is no apparent oak influence and the dry peatiness is rather bland. The quickly fading finish is spicy and mildly bitter. Although a bit pricey and young, this malt is nicely composed and well worth a try. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

When you are looking for an older, substantial single malt that isn't outrageously expensive, consider Glenfarclas 21. Intense fruitiness, green apples, gooseberries and hints of pineapple dominate the nose. Fresh herbs, heather honey and faint smoke of 'burned stuff' linger in the background, adding a pleasant complexity. The age of this malt shows in the taste: heavy cask influence with wood spices and tannins combines with fruits and vanilla, culminating in a lasting, nutty and slightly dry finish. A characterful and intriguing Speysider for sophisticated palates. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS