Thanks @cascode @Slainte-Mhath . I've used whiskybase in the past and was impressed but also overwhelmed by its list of independent bottlers. I'll have to make a point of using it more, alongside Distiller

@ContemplativeFox Just echoing the comment by @Slainte-Mhath below. My suggestion of Whiskybase is no reflection on Distiller but recognition that the emphasis of the two fora are different, and they are complimentary rather than competitive. Often batch issues of a whisky will be rolled together in the one review listing here which is fine if you want a broad picture of the expression over time. Whiskybase list batches separately so if you are looking for comments on something very specific it may be of more utility. This is why I mentioned it in relation to the Old Particular independent bottlings. I habitually check out both sites for user reviews.

@ContemplativeFox As cascode mentioned, Whiskybase is a good place to check for reviews of specific bottles. I usually refrain from mentioning Whiskybase here, as I work for this site as an administrator. I value both Whiskybase and Distiller highly, and I consider my reviews and being part of the Distiller community as my private hobby, whereas Whiskybase has become part of my work. I don't want to be biased, that's why I don't make any advertisement for other platforms. However, another place to check for reviews is Whiskyfun by Serge & Angus, there are tons of excellent reviews on more obscure bottles.

@ContemplativeFox I've enjoyed all the Douglas Laing regional malts, although like you The Epicurian is my least favourite. The best, to me, is Rock Oyster (now Rock Island) which has been consistently good. Big Peat is also waaaaay better than the cartoonish lables would lead you to believe, and the high strength versions are exceptional value. The Gauldrons (Campbeltown regional) was meh to start with but subsequent batches are much better (it is actually probably just teaspooned Glen Scotia). The Douglas Laing Provenance and Old Particular lines are good, but I'd recommend looking at reviews on Whiskybase first as there is a lot of insconsistency across these expressions. The good ones are terrific. The only Douglas Laing product I don't like is their blended scotch - "King of Scots". It's piss. As for Hunter Laing, I can't recall ever having tasted anything from them. They are considerably more expensive.

@ContemplativeFox if you can find North Star’s Chaos, that’s excellent value—-young Caol Ila, but priced around $35-40

Thank you @cascode! I clearly need to track down a North Star sometime now and I'll have to look up Lady of the Glen. I've been fairly happy with the Signatory bottles I've tried. It's good to hear a positive opinion on the cheaper unchillfiltered range as well as the more expensive vintage one that @Slainte-Mhathmentioned. One of my favorite IBs I tried was actually a Signatory unchillfiltered Auchentoshan :) I wasn't aware of G&Ms distillery partnerings, but that sounds pretty interesting. I'm working my way through the Douglas Liang regional malts and aside from The Epicurean I've been pleased so far. Do you have any thoughts on other Douglas (or Hunter) Liang bottlings?

Thanks @Slainte-Mhath! I always check for reviews, but most of the time I can't find any. Do you have much success finding them? I've been under the impression that G&M is supposed to be a bit of a step up from Signatory. I'm trying to remember if I've tried G&M before. I guess I need an occasion to crack open one of the G&M and one of the Signatory I have on my shelf to compare :)

@ContemplativeFox Signatory and Cadenhead are two old-school IBs that are generally trustworthy. Signatory did/does an "unchillfiltered" range that is good value. Lady of the Glen have been releasing some excellent expressions recently and North Star are consistently very good, however I've noticed that their prices have been creeping up. Douglas Laing have great skill with blended malts (any of the "Regional Malts" series are worth trying). Gordon & MacPhail have ongoing licences to produce what are virtual core-range age statement whiskies for some distilleries. Their Mortlachs are very good value.

@ContemplativeFox Signatory Vintage and Gordon & MacPhail tend to be good, but I would always check reviews for the individual bottle(s). There is plenty of choice among the IBs, and prices are generally decent.

Thanks for the recs @PBMichiganWolverine :) I'll be on the lookout for those.

@ContemplativeFox thompson brothers (harder to get), or North Star (easier to get and cheaper)

I've been trying to get into IBs a bit. Do you have any recommendations for ones to seek out or to avoid?

Additional comment: I was torn between 4.25 and 4.5 stars (89-90 points), and eventually decided to give it 4.25. Lagavulin 16 got 1 point more, but that is mainly because it is way more affordable than this bottle. In terms of value, I would reach out for Caol Ila 25, which will be my next review.

Additional comment: This is review is for the 2020 batch. All credit to the master blender at Diageo/Caol Ila distillery, the choice of casks is sublime. If this malt was bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural color... well you know. 90 points plus, easily.