Tastes

Replacing the 2021 discontinued Oak Cross, Orchard House is the latest addition to the Compass Box core range. Ripe fruits are the main theme, and the nose delivers what the label promised: apples, pears and vanilla, mixed with peaches, biscuits and honey. More of the same on the palate, before it turns spicy and slightly dry in the development, enriched by unripe banana, pineapple and ginger. Lemon zest, grapefruit and herbal notes subside in the medium finish, and I can even hear the Caol Ila whispering. A rock-solid sipper for long summer evenings. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Lured by its craft presentation, this Fettercairn was an imprudent impulse buy which I started to regret when I checked reviews afterwards. Whiffs of pinewood, pears and mango emerge from the glass, followed by mushrooms, hay and olive oil. Unusual, subtle and inviting. On the palate, citrus fruits, black pepper and a touch of stout are pushed to the side by walnuts, melon and distant honey. Rosemary, lemon zest and pronounced sherry notes characterize the long and solid finish. Lesson learned, right to an opinion does not make the opinion right. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

Glenmorangie was the undisputed pioneer of wood finishing, and their port-matured Quinta Ruban is arguably the cream of the crop. On the nose, lovely notes of raspberry jam, marzipan and cinnamon rolls intermingle with vanilla cream, honey and hints of sage. Light and complex, the palate unfolds with mixed berries, dark chocolate and peppery wood spices, interrupted by pineapple, mint and a touch of vinegar. Lingering oak, dried fruits and nutmeg remain in the medium finish. A genuinely interesting malt, well-made and good value for money! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

I thought it was about time for a quick dive into the low-cost segment, so I bought this bottle of Copper Dog. Fresh and grassy, the nose offers apple puree, sour grapes and some distant spices. Other than that, there is not much going on. The taste is crisp, watery and apple-driven, expanding towards bitter oranges, cinnamon and mild tannins. Hints of biscuits, walnuts and menthol give it a bit of substance. Swift and uninspiring, the finish fades with toffee, herbs and a touch of espresso. I don't mind drinking this malt, but it's not very interesting either. RATING: 2.7/5.0 stars ≙ 76 pts → SUBPAR [+]

You never know when these ghost distilleries come back to life, and when they eventually do, they are rarely the same. Layer after layer, the aroma of this Brora reveals dragon fruits, lilies and dusty whiffs of an old basement. A touch of horse stable, soot and tobacco creep in. On the palate, tropical fruits explode with an incredible mouthfeel, followed by cayenne pepper, spearmint and ashy traces of peat. Salted grapefruit, roasted coffee and a charming peaty tang emphasize the remarkable finish. This dram dwells in a league of its own, amazing stuff! RATING: 4.7/5.0 stars ≙ 93 pts → SUPERB [+]

A successful finish enriches the underlying spirit without masking its signature, something which was very well done in this Tobermory. On the nose, blackberries, red currants and grapefruit complement the coastal nature of the whisky. Black pepper, sea spray and green onions appear. Sweet and sour, gingery and slightly herbal, the taste demonstrates complexity and great balance. Re-emerging sweetness, hints of brine and some dry oak characterize the long and chocolaty finish. The port notes are spot-on, this malt is engaging and highly recommended! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 88 pts → FIRST-CLASS

13 is deemed an unlucky number, but together with its retro label it certainly helps Craigellachie to stand out from the crowd. Tangerines, elderflower and a touch of cider make an appearance on the nose, all rather light, fruity and slightly floral. The honeyed arrival is displaced by mango, grapefruit and white pepper, while bitter herbs and tannins are pushing forward. Drying oak, lemon zest and menthol mark the prolonged and sugar-coated finish. Don't be fooled by your first impression, this whisky requires a lot of perseverance to be fully appreciated. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Some bottles tend to be sold out as soon as they hit the shelves, which in case of Kilkerran 12 should not come as a surprise. Like a chameleon, the nose ranges from citrus fruits, charcoal and hints of brine to farmland, ginger and band-aid. On the palate, the crisp and herbal arrival is followed by drying oak spices, lemon candies and just the right amount of peat, all very dense and spirit-driven. White pepper, chamomile and a dash of salt introduce the long and savory finish, lingering on with soot, tobacco and fresh mint. Load up the truck while you can! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]

After an extensive flight of high-end whiskies, I figured that it was time to come back down to earth and recalibrate my senses. I bought Wild Turkey Rye as a mixer, but let's give it a try neat. On the nose, canned peaches, orange blossom and coriander appear, accompanied by mild spices. Sweet and slightly spirity, the palate kicks off with loads of cinnamon. Red apples, honey and a touch of bubble gum emerge. The medium finish fades with brown sugar, cloves and spicy hints of dry oak. Not bad at all, I actually refrained from pouring it into coke. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]

There is no right or wrong when it comes to taste, but the hate and confirmation bias this expression received really puzzled me, and I beg to disagree. Surprisingly peaty, briny and mineral, the nose features an intriguing mix of lime juice, aniseed and herbal teas. Sugary and vanilla-driven at first, the palate progresses with white pepper, crisp apples and bitter lemon. Ashy peat smoke, salt and a touch of chili arise, leading all the way into the long and interesting finish. This is a characterful and complex whisky emphasizing everything Talisker stands for! RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]