Interesting fruitiness brings melon and grape notes together with peppercorns for a winey, sometimes Port-like profile, though the whisky feels less balanced.
Tart apples, roasted tea, bread dough and citrus combine with a pleasantly sour edge, while the well-dosed Fino finish adds subtlety rather than overpowering…
Mineral notes, wet chalk, grapefruit and lemon zest dominate this sharp, austere Bowmore, which shows plenty of character but could use more maturity.
The Chianti cask dominates with strawberries, spice and wine tannin, creating a bittersweet dram that brings too much wine and oak spice to the party.
A dark, savoury sherry style with prunes, tobacco, cocoa and earthy wood; the cask dominates the palate, making it less bright and fruity but appealing to fans…
Creamy vanilla, pears and stewed banana are overtaken by active woody notes, making this a somewhat one-dimensional, cask-driven whisky.
A very mature and balanced Imperial, with a rich fruity core of papaya, banana and guava that is very easy to love.
A very savoury Benromach with woodfire smoke, treacle, liquorice, burnt cake, leather and tobacco, balanced by hints of orange peel and chocolate.
An excellent Ledaig with farmy, herbal and medicinal notes, balanced by dark sweetness, oily peat and maritime sharpness.
An intriguing old Speyside malt that shifts from dusty fruit and honey on the nose to a sharper palate of citrus, eucalyptus and coastal spice.
A complex, seductive whisky layering waxy citrus, green fruits, buttery vanilla, almond paste and gentle grassy spice.
A delicate, unique Bunnahabhain with peach candy, salted plums, citrus and herbal tea, held together by prominent but aromatic rather than tannic oak.
Tropical pineapple, guava and creamy orange meet briny sea spray, mineral ashes and herbal notes, evoking an excellent, much older Bowmore.
High-quality spirit with a nice coastal character, pairing well with the bourbon cask and finishing with lingering saltiness, mint, and citrus.
Oak adds wonderful complexity to this richly fruity whisky, layering honey, mango, stewed pears and cigar-leaf notes over a long, balanced finish.
Fresh and elegant, this Imperial combines bright fruits and waxiness with zesty citrus, floral tea notes and a long, slightly minty finish.
Very clean, with a firm zesty side and medicinal core, delivering pure Islay goodness.
An excellent Laphroaig with lovely fruity sweetness and excellent balance, delivering sweet smoke, maritime notes and peach jam on a very long finish.
A fruity, floral nose gives way to a rougher palate of lemon, virgin oak, liquorice and pepper, with rum influence sometimes overshadowing the young malt.
Beautiful and elegant, with a vibrant tart edge, balancing honeyed fruit and flowers against bright citrus, rhubarb and green tea.
