Review No.32 – Daftmill 2007 Winter Batch Release

It's not often that a distillery sees such a persistent and fervent clamour for their releases, but distillery size, production output, a great name, continuing popularity, and, of course, the quality of the whisky all drive the somewhat nutty race to grab a bottle. Entering a ballot for the chance to obtain a bottle from …

Review No.31 – Ardnamurchan AD 09.20:01

The important issue first: Ard-na-murkan. That's according to the youtube videos I dilligently watched, but it's also written on the sustainable cardboard packaging that this whisky came in. This commitment to sustainability, from production to packaging, is at the forefront of Ardnamurchan's ethos. So, Scotland's first green distillery. What does that actually entail? This may …

Review No.29 – The Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength

I have developed a bit of a soft spot for Arran over the past few months - they produce consistently good drams, aren't averse to trying a wide array of cask maturations and finishes, and are one of the few distilleries in the past year to receive (mainly) positive feedback from the demanding whisky community …

Review No.26 – North Star Orkney 13 Year Old (Highland Park)

EDIT: I cocked up my review tally - this is # 26, nae 25. A quarter century of uninspiring reviews with tasting notes you've read before - it can all seem a bit mundane at times, with very little Jim Murray-themed sexual analogies and zero controversy, but behind the scenes it's actually a constant battle …

Review No.22 – Adelphi Selection Benrinnes 11 Year Old

Most whisky fans will be familiar with Adelphi Selection and their position as one of the more prominent Independent Bottlers. I was aware of them but, up until recently, had never managed to try them. Fortunately, due to credit remaining on the engagement dowry (since gone but not forgotten), I luckily managed to find a …

Review No.20 – Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Release

I’m back after another lazy-bastard-hiatus with a huge backlog of whiskies to review from the past 9 months. By my remedial calculations, I should manage to catch up and complete these reviews around 2026, that’s if the world hasn’t ended by then. So, here I am, with thankfully little to whine about compared to many …

Review No.19 – Midleton Very Rare 2017 Edition

Started in 1984, this is the 34th release from Midleton's Very Rare series, which is oft-cited as being the top end of the Irish Whiskey market in terms of quality and popularity. Every year the best casks are selected from the distillery's warehouse and married together to produce each new bottling. Situated 30 minutes east …

Review No.18 – A Trio of Glen Garioch Samples

I recently received three samples from a friend who had visited Glen Garioch (for non-Doric speakers and those unfamiliar with the distillery, it's pronounced 'Glen Geery') to purchase a few distillery exclusives and, as he's aff the bevvy for the time being, was generous to send them my way with an accompanying mini tasting glass. …

Review No.17 – Suntory Kakubin White Label

I don't know how some of you do it - the prolific, relentless whisky reviews and blogging. It's impressive dedication and I only wish I had such drive. However, I'm lazy and this is a hobby, but even my laziness has limits. Given I am now working from home, and in between mundane tasks such …

Review No.16 – Arran 20 Year Old Explorer Series Volume 1 Brodick Bay

Welcome back to the whisky blog that uses a pet dog on a zero-hours contract for poorly taken photos, which, on the evidence provided, don’t seem to be improving. However, Elsie’s Sports Direct-like existence isn’t in vain, particularly given the exposure she enjoys to all 15 16 17 readers. Today’s review is from The Arran …