A hugely powerful, intensely salty and briny dram with chalky minerality, sharp vitality and a finish so coastal it feels like swallowing an oyster.
Bruichladdich 2008 Oloroso (Halcyon Spirits)
Lovely notes of passion fruit and mango mingle with coastal smoke, camphor and delicate peat, creating a magnificent, complex dram.
This surprising Braeval is genuinely good, with candied citrus, chilli, capers and olives developing into a long, herbal finish.
Sharp, herbal and almost acerbic neat, this Braeval improves with water, revealing lemons, green apples and a welcome barley-syrup sweetness.
Benromach Contrasts: Côte-Rôtie Cask
Ben Nevis 1973 (Thompson Bros)
A vibrant, fruit-driven whisky with mirabelles, apricots, quince and citrus, complemented by buttery croissants, almond milk and a fresh Earl Grey finish.
Pleasant, well-made and thoroughly enjoyable, with peach and apricot jam, pastries, candied ginger and a peppery, slightly bitter, oaky finish.
A marvellous sandwich of old beeswax, mature chardonnay, buttercream and Paris ham, with blood oranges, pine sap and walnut husk on the palate.
A simple yet spot-on whisky, combining bitter citrus, peppery spice and pleasing oiliness in a remarkably cohesive composition.
Citrus, strawberries and gentle smoke lead to a sweet, layered dram, while resting it in the glass or adding water reveals floral, licorice, leather and…
A magnificent piña colada nose gives way to powerful melon liqueur, green Chartreuse, verbena and an increasingly herbal, medicinal finish.
An avalanche of exotic fruits arrives with oily richness and impeccable elegance, leading to a long, taut finish of vibrant, exceptional fruitiness.
A beautiful whisky with wonderful floral and vinous aromas, tropical fruits on the palate, and astonishing citrus-driven freshness on the finish.
A very good whisky with esters, citrus and fruit liqueurs, though its soft, sweet profile and lightweight structure prove too much for the reviewer.
A Midleton Very Rare with backbone, offering melon, peach, marshmallows and tart kiwi, though its very sweet profile and light structure may not appeal to…
Gloriously jammy and packed with dried fruits, this rich, lively whisky balances sultanas and Christmas pastry with bright Seville orange and citrus.
