Tastes

The selection of bourbon in Europe is mediocre at best, so this is as good as it gets. Predictable notes of honey, caramel and cinnamon emerge on the nose, accompanied by overripe banana, varnish and a touch of glue. Bold spices overwhelm the sweet arrival with virgin oak, ginger and white pepper at the forefront. Intense sweetness returns with a vengeance, throwing maple syrup, maraschino cherries and vanilla into the mix. Bulleit 10 tastes overaged and yet a bit rough. Rock candy, cocoa and tannins push into the simple finish. Where is my Scotch? RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]

Let's re-review the winner of the Online Scotch Whisky Awards (OSWAs) in the category 'best entry-level bottling'. The nose of Arran 10 features a lovely tropical fruit complexity, think pineapple, mango and lemon cream. Hints of milk chocolate, cereals and butterscotch gain momentum. On the palate, the rich and juicy mouthfeel is flanked by sour berries, peaches and wood spices. Lime juice, apricot jam and pepper round off the taste, while the finish lingers with honey, ginger and a touch of cider. No wonder this malt is so popular, it's a modern classic! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

Diageo's Cameronbridge 'The Knight's Golden Triumph' was the laughingstock of their 2022 releases. Remember Monty Python's 'Tis but a scratch!'? Thank goodness we have the IBs. On the nose, wood polish, cut flowers and Kellogg's Smacks mingle with plaited loaf, brown sugar and anise. Honeyed and herbal in the arrival, the palate develops with vanilla, white pepper and drying oak spices. The age is noticeable. Lovely notes of icing sugar, cinnamon and cocoa mark the solid finish. Is it really better than the shiny knight? Alright, we'll call it a draw. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

Mothballed in 2000 and reopened only three years later, marketeers obviously decided to celebrate Glencadam's big 're-awakening' with this release. Light citrus notes, honey and cinnamon greet the nose before fresh ginger, sourdough and pistachios give it an interesting twist. The fruity arrival accentuates apricots, banana and gentle oak spices, followed by grassy, zesty and slightly dry flavors. Spearmint, walnuts and salted caramel subside in the balanced and fairly long finish. It offers more complexity and depth than the 10-year-old, I am enjoying it! RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Glencadam is probably not on everyone's radar, as most of its production goes into the Ballantine's blends. On the nose, fresh citrus, honeydew melon and hints of glue take turns with thyme, vanilla and canned pineapple. Quite crisp and vivid, the taste unfolds with lemon juice, spearmint and mild spices. Sweet and sour notes, green apples and honey emphasize the firm mouthfeel. The aftertaste lingers with ginger, unripe banana and a touch of dry oak. At 10 years of age, this spirit-driven and honest malt does not have to rely on silly wood finishes. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

The Oloroso sherry butts of yesteryear were certainly better, but despite all the naysayers, Aberlour A'bunadh is still a pretty fine dram. Lovely notes of strawberries, cherries and roasted almonds emerge from the Glencairn, enriched by After Eights, walnut cake and dried herbs. Potent and spicy, the taste pushes forward with stewed fruits, ginger and eucalyptus. It is surprisingly versatile and thrives with added water. Mon Chéri, coffee and measured oak fade in the long finish. Maybe not as good as it used to be, but I am far from being disappointed. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

Previous tastings of Kavalan have not impressed me, so I wanted to give Taiwan's second distillery a try. The nose of this 4-year-old Yushan is quite appealing, ranging from plums, grapes and baking spices to tropical fruits, marzipan and fresh ginger. Juicy and spicy flavors attack the palate, the rushed maturation has left it woody and slightly rough at the same time. Peppery oak, dark chocolate and hints of cantaloupe underscore the quality of the casks. Fading notes of coffee, apples and spearmint remain in the medium finish. It's a well-made spirit! RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 83 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Most of Ardbeg's committee releases are a complete waste of money, but this core range bottling was decent enough to write a review. Earthy and mineral notes hit the nose, followed by chimney soot, butterscotch and pine resin. Barley sugar, honey and ripe pears are first to arrive on the palate before menthol, bitter walnuts and lemon zest take over in the development. Ashy peat smoke, bay leaf and a touch of eucalyptus push into the clean and straightforward finish. Make no mistake, this Wee Beastie will challenge the toothbrush later tonight. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

I have yet to find a Caol Ila that disappointed me, and this young, sherry-matured Càrn Mòr is certainly no exception. Medicinal and peppery-sweet, the nose features BBQ sauce, dark fruits and menthol cigarettes. Iodine, sea salt and a touch of banana appear. On the palate, strawberry cream, black pepper and briny peat smoke mingle with caramel, honey and salted licorice. The ashy, mineral and long finish subsides with cinnamon, plum butter and tobacco. A spirit-driven Islay malt at a fair price, underscoring once more why this is my favorite distillery. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Affordable, well-presented and always a reliable choice: if there is such a thing as the perfect gift bottle, Bunnahabhain 12 would be it. Sherry-driven, oily and virtually unpeated, the nose combines orange peel, peaches and shortbread with hazelnuts, treacle and hints of sea breeze. Sweet and sour notes, ginger and bitter wood spices accompany the rich mouthfeel before the taste shifts gears towards spearmint, cocoa and brown sugar. Walnuts, stewed fruits and a touch of mocha fade in the lasting and resinous finish. This malt punches above its weight! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS