Fèis Ìle 2017 Batch 1
The first half of this year’s festival bottlings, featuring Ardbeg, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
The first half of this year’s festival bottlings, featuring Ardbeg, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
Teeling’s first release, Red Spot, Prince Charles’ Royal Lochnagar and that Amazon Bowmore.
Diversity reigns: 50-year-old Macallan, peated anCnoc, two Macduffs, two wine cask finishes.
The Islay Fest continues with Scarabus, Aerolite Lyndsay and a smattering of Fèis Ìle drams.
Thirteen new single malts from Caperdonich, Longmorn, Glen Keith and Braes of Glenlivet.
Three Irish whiskeys this week, plus the return of Crabbie’s to Scotch and an Islay single malt.
Dave Broom samples six truly venerable whiskies totalling an impressive 316 years old.
A quartet of Milroy’s of Soho whiskies plus recent releases from Arran and Wemyss Malts.
A chocolatey Springbank, meaty Ledaig, plus Rock Island’s new maritime blended malts.
New whiskies including Highland Park Valkyrie and a trio of bargain-priced Lidl single malts.
A sextet of Bruichladdichs come calling this week, including a trio of new Octomores.
A stunning whisky line-up: 70yo Glenlivet, experimental Johnnie Walker, Compass Box and Wolfburn.
Three Bs – Balmenach, Benrinnes and Bowmore – and three Glens – Scotia, Moray and Glenlossie.
Compass Box’s No Name No. 2 and Whyte & Mackay’s Light join four indie bottlings.
The new Balvenie Stories range leads a Glenlivet, a GlenDronach and The Moffat blend.
The first non-Scotch set of whiskies features five new Irish releases in time for St Patrick’s Day.
The first release from Ailsa Bay lands on Dave Broom’s doorstep this week, alongside other delights.
A Laddie-fest as four Bruichladdichs are tasted, plus a Fettercairn and the latest Highland Park.
New Compass Box Hedonism, Bladnoch Bicentennial, BenRiach, Aultmore, Glenallachie and Glen Spey.
Thoughts on the latest whiskies from Benromach, Glen Moray, Ledaig and Tomatin.
Bushmills and Redbreast from Ireland, plus Glenmorangie, Glen Scotia and Jura from Scotland.
The new Ardbeg An Oa, Glenmorangie Astar plus four Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels.
Gordon & MacPhail’s 1956 Linkwood, plus Tomintoul and an intriguing quartet of blended malts.
Blends, grains and malts: Cadenhead, Cambus, Dufftown, James Eadie, Linkwood and Strathclyde.
Bowmore, Glenmorangie, Hazelburn and a ‘troika’ of Bruichladdich conclude 2016’s new whisky notes.
A Speyside special featuring Glenlivet, GlenAllachie, Glen Elgin, Benromach, Tamdhu and Benrinnes.
Four Islay whiskies, including Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain, plus Glenlivet and Aultmore from the SMWS.
North British’s first commercial release, plus whiskies from Arran, Glenfarclas and Linkwood.
A rich and sweet theme including three Dalmores, Highland Park, Glenrothes and Auchentoshan.
A smoky Islay special, including two single malts each from Caol Ila, Kilchoman and Peat’s Beast.
Method and Madness’ acacia and cherry wood-matured whiskeys meet four Adelphis.
New bottlings include Cragganmore, Glenfarclas, Glen Garioch, Lossit, Shackleton and Speyside.
Pitting Master of Malt against Gordon & MacPhail as both bottlers take on Chivas distilleries.
Two blends, including the latest Johnnie Walker, three Bowmores, three 90-plus scores.
Glen Moray, Glen Scotia, Auchroisk, Longrow and Springbank, with some fascinating finishes.
Islay whiskies to mark the start of Fèis Ìle, with peat to the fore – but not altogether dominating.
Two single malts, two single grains, two blended malts: a mixed bag of new whisky releases.
Indie bottlers Cadenhead and Asta Morris duke it out with Tomatin and Writers’ Tears.
A quartet of whiskies from Deanston and Tobermory are bolstered by an elder Tomatin and Mortlach.
Dave Broom rounds out the year with a party of Pulteneys and Big Peat’s annual festive bottling.
BenRiach Sherry Wood and a quintet of Glens, headed by Glengoyne’s latest Teapot Dram.
It’s a Bunna’ bonanza this week, as Dave Broom tastes six drams from the Islay distillery.
From Ardbeg Drum to Littlemill 40, this week’s reviews run the length and breadth of Scotland.
A trip through Islay with Ardbeg's new 19-year-old, a wine-cask Kilchoman and Lagavulin 10.
A chocolatey theme runs through Dave Broom’s tasting notes, including Johnnie Walker and Tamnavulin.
One of these whiskies is described as ‘truly glorious’, earning our highest score yet. But which?
Five new Balvenie whiskies pay tribute to malt master David Stewart. But are they any good?
Starting with Ardbeg Twenty Something, Dave Broom gets immersed in Scotland’s island whiskies.
This week’s tasting notes start with Benromach 1973 and end with a Sherried Tullibardine.
A quartet of single malts from James Eadie with Auchroisk, Blair Athol, Caol Ila and Dailuaine.
Two Balblair vintages, Dalmore 45, Cadenhead Creations plus two Mossburn blended malts.
A Gordon & MacPhail quartet, GlenDronach’s Boynsmill and Highland Park’s Twisted Tattoo.
A quartet of indie-bottled Caol Ilas, a spooky Macduff and Arran's oldest core release yet.
Delayed, but worth the wait, as Becky Paskin reviews Campbeltown’s festival editions.
Dave Broom samples the 2017 John Walker Private Collection blend and a trio of Bladnochs.
Our editor Becky Paskin takes a journey through time with Balvenie’s DCS Compendium Chapter 3.
If you’ve been wondering what Dave Broom thinks of Black Bowmore 50 Year Old, you’re in luck...
This week sees Dave Broom dive into a delirium of exclusive Daftmill whiskies.
The verdict on Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old, and lots of peat: Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ledaig and Croftengea.
A barrage of Highland Parks bound for duty free, plus the milestone Benromach Cask No 1.
Five rarely seen Speyside malts: Glenburgie, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Miltonduff and Strathmill.
A quartet of Glenglassaugh wood finishes, accompanied by two indie-bottled Bunnahabhains.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1989, plus two Aultmores, Bunnahabhain, Glen Garioch and Teaninich.
Jameson Bow Street 18, Jura One For You, Method & Madness Hungarian Oak and Wolfburn Langskip.
A collection of young Caol Ila bottlings meets Peat Chimney blended malt from Wemyss.
Blends, malts, and blended malts, including Clynelish, Glengoyne and Compass Box Delilah’s.
Dave Broom pours out his thoughts on a ‘monster’ Mortlach and Cadenhead blended grain.
A Black Friday special, with malts from Orkney, Campbeltown, Glen Moray and Glentauchers.
Dave Broom detects a sweet theme developing while tasting this week’s new whiskies.
An old Benromach, a blended malt and Daftmill’s Winter Release surround a trio of Tomatins.
New year, new whiskies, including a 23-year-old Ardbeg and a trio aged in Ukrainian wine casks.
A double dose of Scotch whiskies each from Bowmore, Islay Mist and Laphroaig.
Port Ellen, Brora, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, Dailuaine, Pittyvaich and The Cally.
Tasting notes on Highland Park Ice, Grant’s Elementary, Deanston Organic and Benriach Cask Strength.
Three lesser-known Speyside distilleries in the shape of Glen Spey, Speyburn and Strathmill.
A 30-year-old Glen Grant and a trio of Longmorns are the film stars of Dave Broom’s tasting notes.
Glendronach, Laphroaig, Macallan and Springbank – they’re all included in the latest new releases.
Ardbeg Kelpie, Douglas Laing’s first Consortium of Cards release and a 40-year-old Carsebridge.
A contrasting collection of whiskies this week, from a smoky Ledaig to a rich, fruity Tomatin.
A quartet of revamped Dalmores, Kilkerran goes to secondary school and Cù Bòcan re-emerges.
Dave Broom reviews Glenmorangie Spìos, Tullibardine 1962 and Tomatin Metal and Water.
Octomore’s 08 series, Kilchoman 2009 and Red Wine Cask Matured, plus Ardbeg Twenty Something.
Three grains, three malts: GlenDronach, Aultmore, Carsebridge, North British and Wolfburn.
Aberfeldy’s Madeira finishes, a single cask Springbank, two James Eadies and a 1990 Cù Bòcan.
Linkwood, Dailuaine, Inchgower and Tamdhu from Speyside, plus a lone interloper from Arran.
A gaggle of Glenrothes vie for attention this week, plus Johnnie Walker’s Midnight Blend.
Two blended malts – Compass Box Juveniles and a 43-year-old Speyside – bookend four indie bottlings.
Three fruity, mature old grains, a 1980s Coleburn plus a bold new Benromach.
This year’s series includes single malts from Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Ledaig and Tobermory.
This week is split between two trios, as venerable G&Ms meet experimental Bruichladdichs.
Two mature BenRiachs, plus indie-bottled Blair Athol, Craigellachie, Glen Keith and Tomatin.
A sweet theme unites malts from Glen Moray, GlenDronach, Glengoyne, Glenmorangie and Pulteney.
A release of six single cask single malts from the Speyside distillery, from 1978 to 1991.
A concatenation of Caol Ilas with a couple of neighbours thrown in for good measure.
Dave Broom grapples with grains, including Caledonian, Haig Club Clubman and Port Dundas.
A double dose of Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Glenfiddich Scotch whiskies from Dave Broom this week.
Dave Broom brings a mixed bag of flavours from Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Wolfburn.
In a battle of the retailers, Royal Mile Whiskies goes head-to-head with The Whisky Exchange.
From a meaty Ben Nevis to a creamy, vanilla Glenrothes, with a dash of Bruichladdich in between.
A double hit of BenRiach, then Benromach 1975, Caperdonich, Craigellachie and Inchmurrin bottlings.
GlenDronach Kingsman, Jura One and All, Glen Scotia 18-year-old and Benromach Triple Distilled.
Taking it easy with Highland Park Magnus, Dewar’s 25, Balvenie Peat Week and The Art of Whisky.
Youth meets maturity with Benromach, Glengoyne, Glenlossie, Glenrothes, Imperial and Tullibardine.
A duo from Ben Nevis and a Highland Park quartet find a musical match in dirty blues and deep soul.
Getting to grips with GlenAllachie’s new core range, as well as two stunners from Asta Morris.
Four Annandale single casks lead a James Eadie Aultmore and acacia-matured Bushmills.
Dave Broom goes rummaging through some lesser-known distilleries (and Aberfeldy) this week.
Port Askaig, Linkwood and Wemyss Malts complete the line-up of whiskies this week.
Dave Broom revisits some of the whiskies he found most intriguing from the first 99 batches.
Age and time is the theme this week, with Ghost and Rare, Linkwood and a quartet of old Longmorns.
Johnnie Walker’s White Walker and 2018’s Flaming Heart are joined by a gaggle of grains.
BrewDog’s Boilermaker Series joins bottlings from Thompson Brothers and The Whisky Agency.
New whiskies include Douglas Laing’s Big Peat 2017 Fèis Ìle bottling and a trio of Strathmill malts.
Dave Broom returns from his hols with new Inchmoans, an old Invergordon and a sessionable Aultmore.
Four younger malts compete for Dave Broom’s affections, while he is seduced by a 1972 Tomatin.
Tasting three Glen Morays, Tomatin Earth, Cù Bòcan 2006 and Ardnamurchan’s latest spirit release.
A dark and richly flavoured theme, with Benrinnes, Mortlach, Dailuaine, Highland Park and The E&K.
Tasting Gordon & MacPhail’s new Discovery range, plus maiden releases from Daftmill and Eden Mill.
The discount retailer’s seasonal Scotches, including three aged blends and two mature malts.
An Irish special: Green Spot, The Irishman, Jameson, Midleton, Retronaut and Writer’s Tears.
Only two distilleries this week: Ardbeg Grooves Committee bottling and the new Jura range.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains, including a resurrected bottler and a fascinating maturation project.
It’s a feast this week with Octomore 10, Rosebank Jealousy and a Sherried single grain.
Blends take centre stage with Berry Bros’ Perspective Series, with a malt cameo from Scapa.
Dave Broom burns through a smoky Islay quartet, a Sherried Benromach and Wolfburn’s new release.
A venerable Benromach, two unusual Cù Bòcans and Glenmorangie’s new travel retail range.
Jura’s Time and Tide meet bottlings from Ardmore, Auchroisk, Imperial and Miltonduff.
Seven of GlenDronach’s 15 single cask releases for 2018 – all Sherry-matured bar one Port pipe.
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, Macallan Edition No 4, Talisker 40 and Mortlach’s new core range.
This week’s reviews include Balvenie DoubleWood 25, Aerstone and GlenDronach 15 Revival.
This week Becky Paskin gets acquainted with four new Wemyss Malts releases plus two peaty drams.
The annual line-up, featuring a handful of rarities alongside a number of old favourites.
Scallywag and Timorous Beastie’s big brothers get a grilling, alongside a host of indie bottlings.
It’s Speyside vs Edinburgh this week as Glenallachie and Glendullan stand up against North British.
Balblair’s age-stated core range plus Glenfiddich Grand Cru and Glenlivet 14 Year Old Cognac Finish.
Dave Broom selects an eclectic trio of whiskies as his top drams of 2017.
Our magazine editor chooses his whisky highlights from 2015, including two bargain Speyside malts.
Indie bottlings of Glen Elgin, Mortlach and Caol Ila most impressed Dave Broom this year.
Smoky, floral and fruity – we’d expect nothing but an eclectic mix of drams from our chief engineer.
Our editor covers all bases with her favourites of 2016: a single malt, single grain and a blend.
A Balvenie tribute, an elderly Talisker and a chewy GlenDronach caught Becky Paskin’s eye.
Our editor’s top whiskies include an Irish revival, an ageing Ardbeg and dram with no name.
A sublime trio: Glenmorangie Astar redux, ethereal Brora and Midleton from the archives.
Dave Broom looks back on 2015 with whisky-tinted glasses and selects his three stand-out drams.
Smoke is the overriding theme as our magazine editor picks his three stand-out whiskies of 2016.
Celebrating a feral Ardbeg, a seamless Johnnie Walker blend, and an ethereal old Tomatin.
Our editor, Becky Paskin, selects her top three Scotch whiskies tasted in 2015.
Three rare Japanese morsels are examined, but not all of these Eastern drams show promise.
Three accessible old whiskies, including Bruichladdich, Pride of Strathspey and a Reliance blend.
In preparation for the Speyside whisky fest, Dave has chosen three rare Speysiders from the vault.
Dusting off three rare Signatory bottlings of Craigduff, Kinclaith and Rare Ayrshire/Ladyburn.
A 16-year-old Glenallachie, Glenmorangie Artisan Cask and Hudson’s Bay 1670 Blended Scotch.
An ‘80s Ballantine’s, ‘60s Glen Albyn and ‘70s Glenlivet deliver impressively high scores.
A Karuizawa triptych illustrates the enduring excellence of this cult Japanese single malt.
A ‘totally stunning’ 1974 Caol Ila sizes up to a magnificent Mortlach and 1930s blend.
From the sublime to the downright disgusting, three rare whiskies from the ’60s and ’70s.
Exploring more affordable rare whiskies with 1980s Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Longmorn.
Exploring a Gordon & MacPhail trio of 40% abv whiskies, including two Glens and an Ardbeg.
A trio of Islay whiskies from Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Ellen impress Angus MacRaild.
A rare Karuizawa and cult whiskies from Laphroaig and Royal Brackla astonish MacRaild.
An early Aberlour bottled for the Italian market, plus ‘ghost’ malts from Brora and Lochside.
A trio of early releases from the SMWS, including Glendullan, Glen Esk and Inchmurrin.
Tasting three 1970s and 1980s Sherried beauties from Aberlour, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
Dave Broom retastes his first Port Ellen, while two rare Macallans are raised from the archive.
Verdicts on a release from mothballed Convalmore, a cult Bowmore – and a Talisker Oddbins special.
A high-octane tasting of Auld Niblick, Macallan ‘As We Get It’ and MacPhail’s Pure Malt.
A ‘gutsy’ ‘90s Sherried Bowmore, alongside textbook examples of ‘70s Bruichladdich and Caol Ila.
The first SMWS bottling of Longrow, plus a lesser-spotted Inchgower and a Tomatin from the 1970s.
Two cult brand bottlings plus an often overlooked malt have surfaced from the archives for tasting.
Three cracking whiskies here – if you can find them – from Glenury Royal, Caol Ila and Glen Grant.
Tripping on fruity old Glenugie, fragrant 1960s Glenlochy and a flabby 1940s blend.
A rollercoaster ride with a duty free Aberlour, a beautiful Brora and a disappointing Talisker.
Two peated treats from Port Ellen and Talisker, plus a ‘funky’ but fine Glen Grant.
Dave Broom revisits three legendary Port Ellens, but wonders if the liquid is worth the hype.
Kicking off the New Year with a diverse trio of illustrious Cadenhead Dumpies.
Angus MacRaild visits Balblair, Pulteney and Tomatin with three drams distilled in the 1960s.
A ‘thrilling’ 1980s Dailuaine joins a ‘60s Bruichladdich and an unusual Caperdonich.
Some well-aged drams from Bruichladdich, Dalmore and Deanston are plucked from the vaults.
Three legendary (and rightly so) SMWS bottlings, including the very first from the society.
Three ‘70s and ‘80s bottlings from cult distilleries Brora, Glenlochy and Glenugie.
A trio of Gordon & MacPhail gems distilled around the time of the Second World War.
Three ‘70s whiskies from Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection: Allt-a-Bhainne, Auchroisk and Imperial
Three more affordable old bottlings: a mysterious malt, a rare Inverleven and a thumping Lagavulin.
Three full-bodied 1940s and ‘50s whiskies bottled for the US take Angus MacRaild’s fancy.
An elegant post-war Glen Grant, an opinion-dividing ’70s Ledaig and waxy ’60s Tullibardine.
A trio of Islay whiskies, including the oldest Caol Ila ever bottled, deliver high scores.
Angus MacRaild samples a trio of 1970s whiskies from Dallas Dhu, Macallan and Scapa.
Three less heralded whiskies, including single malts from Ardmore, Glendullan and Millburn.
A mixed bag of single malts, regions and styles, including Glenlossie, Jura and Laphroaig.
Tasting a fascinating ‘70s Aberlour, a historic ‘40s Kilbeggan and a surprising ‘80s Fettercairn.
Three old bottlings that demonstrate the variety available in whisky’s back catalogue.
Three blends from the 1920s-50s have Angus MacRaild dreaming of a bygone era.
An impressive, well-matured 1960s trio of single malts from Jura, Springbank and Tamdhu.
Three modern-era ‘legends’ are reviewed, from Balblair, Bunnahabhain and Springbank.
Angus MacRaild finds solace in three affordable vatted malts from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
A 1940s White Horse bottled for the US joins a rare Aultmore and an ‘austere’ Clynelish.
Head back in time with a 1960s Glenugie, 1950s Balblair and a rare 1930s Glamis single malt.
Moon Import’s revered Costume Series gets an airing in this week’s rare whisky reviews.
All Ardbegs, including two 27-year-old Old Malt Cask bottlings, plus a 32-year-old release.
A delve into the Islay vaults nets a 1980s Bruichladdich, a recent Bowmore and a quirky Port Ellen.
Macallan, Springbank and Port Ellen all feature in our latest selection from the whisky vaults.
A 10-year-old Laphroaig, 12-year-old Springbank and a 1930s Whyte & Mackay 10-year-old blend.
There’s a contemplative air as Dave Broom tastes old Glen Grant, Springbank and Tomatin.
Three more of Port Ellen’s legendary annual releases, all from 1979, come under the spotlight.
This batch features a 25-year-old Ardbeg, 38-year-old Bowmore and 21-year-old Port Ellen.