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Compass Box Great King St Glasgow Blend
Distiller Score 88
The most pronounced aroma is peat smoke, much like soot you'd find in a chimney. Hidden underneath all of that are sweet, malty notes. As you taste, there's a sweet middle that hits your tongue with a mixed fruit salad of mandarin, apples, and cherry. As you exhale, you feel as if you've just exhaled a puff of smoke. Overall, the peat and fruit seem to be arm-wrestling and the outcome keeps changing as to which one is going over the top.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Ledaig 10 Year
Distiller Score 90
There is a pleasant sweet bacon smoke on the nose along with some peanut brittle. The whisky is full and soft on the palate with a nice bit of bite. The smoke is more akin to roasting coals rather than wood and finishes with some baking spices
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Ardmore Traditional Cask
Distiller Score 87
A variety of aromas hit the nose such as hay, dark chocolate, orange zest, and moss. Peat smoke is present, but plays a minor part here. The body has a slight oily quality to it and the taste is full of malt, barrel spices, and honey. The peat smoke turns up the volume on the finish and is the last to leave the party.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Johnnie Walker Double Black
Distiller Score 85
Johnnie Walker has clearly turned the smoke knob to 11. Coal. Tar. Campfire. This might sound a bit intimidating, but if you chose to continue this journey, you'll find a nougat and honey center as well. But that nougat and honey center is wrapped in a cloak of charred smoke.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Highland Park 10 Year
Distiller Score 87
This fun whisky gives you a glimpse of what Highland Park was up to before its classic teen years. The new make’s peaty influence smacks with citrus fruit peel at their peak with a touch of the sea. In the mouth, smoke and grapefruit zest is still king but sweet honey, agave, and vanilla are at hand. The consistent smoke and citrus guide the unhurried finish. This is a respectable Highland Park prequel to the complex timeless classics.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire
Distiller Score 87
This blend plays up to its name quite well with an enjoyable mix of peat smoke and spice from start to finish. The aromas are lead by a waft of (almost Mediterranean) baking spices and backed up by toasted nut and chili flake notes. The palate is immediately coating and brings a layered mix of caramelized sugar, dried apricot and lean peat smoke. The chili flake note returns for a nice accent at the end.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Té Bheag Connoisseurs' Blended Whisky
Distiller Score 89
A spirit-forward nose breaks into coastal-heavy sea spray with iodine and a splash of rubber cement. A floating peatiness brings the whisky loads of cozy warmth. Mild vanilla and lavender help to distract from the day at the beach. Raisins, apple and candied nuts fire up the mouth for the smoke show that drives the palate into a long hot and spicy finish.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Rock Oyster Cask Strength Batch #1
Distiller Score 86
The peaty storm was expected, but the smoky aromas aren't overpowering the citrusy, fruity and spicy notes on the nose. There's also something deliciously salty in the background. The palate is rich with a full array of aromas delivering drift wood, grapefruit, lemon zest, vegetal notes, and yummy vanilla. The smoke fades gently and the whisky ends with a citrusy finish.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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The Tweeddale Blend 12 Year (Batch 3)
Distiller Score 93
Batch 3 doesn’t wear underwear under its kilt; it has nothing to hide. Vanilla biscuits and milk chocolate covered raisins pronounce themselves on the nose with a splash of olive oil and faint peat. Christmas spices such as ginger and vanilla blend with crisp apple fruitiness. Malted cereal notes are always present. Any sweetness dries off in the finish into a beautiful burst of citrus zest. This whisky puts on a clinic in flavor aromatherapy.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Lost Distillery Lossit
Distiller Score 87
The nose initially offers sherry and fruits, with apricot, zest, and muscat, but there's smoke and brine beneath it. More smoke and peat at the forefront on the palate, a little bit meaty, with spice, and background fruity sweetness, showcasing sultanas and berries. Finish leaves closing notes of pepper, smoke, and more of that berry and sherry tandem.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Tomatin 15 Year 43% (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 86
Fresh cut apples and pears hit your nose initially followed by the classic heather notes found in Highland whiskies. Char smoke comes through on the palate creating an image of smoldering heather and moss. The finish is just a touch sweet and wood spice filled.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Aerstone Land Cask 10 Year
Distiller Score 93
Aerstone Land Cask smells and tastes like new sneakers. But there's plenty more going on here. The nose also has cut grass and marzipan, while the taste is syrupy and rich. Carrot cake and rubber. It's extremely unusual. It's also superb.
Reviewed by Felipe Schrieberg