Immaculate Laphroaig with maritime power, delivering focused medicinal, citrus and coastal notes through a very long finish.
An exceptionally aromatic and unique whisky, balancing tart peaches, pineapple and plums with dried herbs, wax, sandalwood and a candied, fragrant finish.
Vinous and fairly unique, it brings bright raspberry and blackcurrant, vanilla, clove and a brandy-like edge, finishing with dark fruits and brown sugar.
Fruity sweetness, bright sparkle and a pleasant tart note make this a distinctive dram that grew on the reviewer into a firm favourite.
Red berries, cherries, toffee and orange cake show on the palate, but the reviewer feels the Bordeaux cask—not the yeast—is doing most of the talking.
Rich and aromatic, with raisins, red berries, plums, toffee, nuts and milk chocolate, though active oak brings a slightly drier, lightly bitter edge.
A very complete and simply stupendous whisky, dominated by old-style sherry with tobacco, prunes, chocolate and a long, dry finish.
Lovely waxiness paired with rich fruitiness makes this Clynelish an all-round work of art, with creamy fruits, honey and refreshing citrus.
A nuclear smoke bomb with warming peat, barbecue ashes, sea spray and medicinal notes—one of the nicest young Laphroaig expressions the reviewer has had lately.
Berry, caramel and milk chocolate notes give way to bittersweet caramel, cocoa and pepper, but the whisky remains sharp and drying.
Rich raisins, figs and prunes meet caramelized brown sugar and apple tart, but the whisky is ultimately a little rough and unbalanced.
A thick, sweet whisky with heavy breakfast-cereal notes, but very active virgin oak brings wet pinewood, vanilla, glue and even a hint of plastic.
A delicious, oily whisky with ripe peach, pineapple and grapefruit, balanced by waxy notes, citrus zest and a pleasant yeasty austerity.
A very savoury Ardnamurchan, mixing barbecue smoke, lacquered meat, peppery chocolate, tart berries and dried mushrooms, though it may not suit every palate.
A very intense and savoury Caol Ila, packed with dark smoke, brine and cured meat, while astringency adds an appealing edge.
Chalky, salty and ashy with mint, marzipan and green fruit, it delivers oily Campbeltown funk, vegetal peat smoke, brine and impressive complexity.
A coastal, austere dram with citrus, pears and green apples balancing mineral notes, herbs and salt; its spirit-driven character feels especially rewarding in…
A funky, coastal and slightly austere Balblair, pairing fruity sweetness with vegetal notes, firm pepper, hay and a surprisingly salty finish.
Tasty whiskey with green apples, citrus, vanilla custard and pepper, though the reviewer finds it a little on the safe side.
Precise and intense, this whisky delivers deep sootiness, sour lemon, tar, glazed ham and herbs, finishing long and warming with charred meat and spice.
