This is the first part out of a five-part series of reviews of a private tasting of Independent Bottlers in my local liquor shop. I was invited once again to a private tasting of Independent Bottlers in my local cigar & liquor shop. While the owner also knows his business very well, he usually invites an expert: a proud (but modest) member of the Keepers of the Quaich, who enthusiastically spills all his knowledge and anecdotes about the drams he serves, always ensuring an interesting afternoon. This time I took my 14-year-old son with me, who is slowly starting to appreciate the subtle nuances of the better whiskies, and who - to my delight - especially is growing fond of modestly peated and smoked whisky. He also appreciates a nice wine-or port-finish. The available line-up was larger than last time but was again more or less ordered by their taste-profile to help us anticipate their potential a bit. From fresh and fruity, the bottles displayed evolved from the left to the middle to the somewhat more neutral, robust but fuller whiskies, to the right to the more complex, heavier and usually peat-smoked ones. My son and I decided to limit ourselves to try - and share - just five sample drams. He got to pick the first one, and then we picked in turns the next ones, but we actually agreed every time. 1. Càrn Mòr - Strictly Limited - Benrinnes 10 Year Old 2009 2. Hunter Laing - Talisker 2008 - 9 Year Old Old Malt Cask 3. Claxton's The Single Cask - Bunnahabhain 2013 - Staoisha - 6 Years Old 4. Caol Ila 5-Year-Old 2009 - Hepburn's Choice (Langside) 5. Ardnamurchan Spirit 2019 AD My son’s first pick was a Benrinnes of 10 years old, bottled by Càrn Mòr under it’s ‘Strictly Limited’ range. He was very interested because of it’s decade long aging in a Sherry Butt. The nose of this Speyside dram hinted - unsurprisingly to some fresh oak and vanilla, and didn’t disappoint in the palate. The Sherry-aging became clear, but wasn’t obtrusive and shared hints of candy, fruit, and some salt. The finish was moderate and somewhat dry and oaky. We both agreed to have started strong. To keep reading, the other reviews should be available here on Distiller/Whizzky very soon. To find out the winner (read: the bottle we purchased), see the last review (Ardnamurchan).