Fèis Ìle 2018 Batch 1
Our round-up of Islay Festival bottlings starts with Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila.
Our round-up of Islay Festival bottlings starts with Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila.
Independent bottlings for the Islay Festival, including Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig.
The second batch of festival bottlings: Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Charlotte.
A round-up of 2019’s official Islay Festival whiskies, including Ardbeg, Bowmore and Octomore.
Festival part two, including Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Jura, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
The first half of this year’s festival bottlings, featuring Ardbeg, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
Our festival special ends with Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Jura, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
Hunter Laing’s range features Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Laphroaig and Port Ellen.
Ardbeg, plus three each from Bowmore and Bruichladdich, in the first part of our festival special.
Delayed, but worth the wait, as Becky Paskin reviews Campbeltown’s festival editions.
The annual line-up, featuring a handful of rarities alongside a number of old favourites.
New whiskies include Douglas Laing’s Big Peat 2017 Fèis Ìle bottling and a trio of Strathmill malts.
The Islay Fest continues with Scarabus, Aerolite Lyndsay and a smattering of Fèis Ìle drams.
Dave Broom shares a taste of Islay this week, as the 2017 Fèis Ìle gets under way.
Islay whiskies to mark the start of Fèis Ìle, with peat to the fore – but not altogether dominating.
This week’s haul includes some Feis outliers, a brace of Arrans and a new Glen Grant.
Johnnie Walker’s White Walker and 2018’s Flaming Heart are joined by a gaggle of grains.
This year’s series includes single malts from Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Ledaig and Tobermory.
Seven of GlenDronach’s 15 single cask releases for 2018 – all Sherry-matured bar one Port pipe.
The new Balvenie Stories range leads a Glenlivet, a GlenDronach and The Moffat blend.
Balblair’s age-stated core range plus Glenfiddich Grand Cru and Glenlivet 14 Year Old Cognac Finish.
Port Ellen, Brora, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, Dailuaine, Pittyvaich and The Cally.
Our editors assess this year’s eagerly anticipated collection of Scotch whiskies from Diageo.
Auchroisk, Brora, Cambus, Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Linkwood, Port Ellen and more.
A smoky Islay special, including two single malts each from Caol Ila, Kilchoman and Peat’s Beast.
Bowmore, Glenmorangie, Hazelburn and a ‘troika’ of Bruichladdich conclude 2016’s new whisky notes.
As the Islay Festival draws to a close, Dave Broom brings you a mix of Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila.
Whiskies by Royal Salute and Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare put lost distilleries into focus.
Jameson Triple Triple, GlenAllachie’s Wood Finish range plus Loch Lomond’s latest releases.
Compass Box’s No Name No. 2 and Whyte & Mackay’s Light join four indie bottlings.
Tasting notes on Highland Park Ice, Grant’s Elementary, Deanston Organic and Benriach Cask Strength.
North British’s first commercial release, plus whiskies from Arran, Glenfarclas and Linkwood.
In a battle of the retailers, Royal Mile Whiskies goes head-to-head with The Whisky Exchange.
Dave Broom samples the 2017 John Walker Private Collection blend and a trio of Bladnochs.
A quartet of single malts from James Eadie with Auchroisk, Blair Athol, Caol Ila and Dailuaine.
Octomore’s 08 series, Kilchoman 2009 and Red Wine Cask Matured, plus Ardbeg Twenty Something.
The new Ardbeg An Oa, Glenmorangie Astar plus four Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels.
Macallan Boutique Collection joins bottlings from Adelphi, James Eadie and Thompson Bros.
Blends, grains and malts: Cadenhead, Cambus, Dufftown, James Eadie, Linkwood and Strathclyde.
A Black Friday special, with malts from Orkney, Campbeltown, Glen Moray and Glentauchers.
Dave Broom rounds out the year with a party of Pulteneys and Big Peat’s annual festive bottling.
Port Askaig’s 10th anniversary malt, plus Benrinnes, Caol Ila and Linkwood from the indies.
A Tamdhu trio vie with Glenlivet’s Winchester malt and Whisky Works’ newest releases.
A peaty pile-up this week with the latest Elements of Islay bottlings, Bowmore and Johnnie Walker.
New Compass Box Hedonism, Bladnoch Bicentennial, BenRiach, Aultmore, Glenallachie and Glen Spey.
Four Islay whiskies, including Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain, plus Glenlivet and Aultmore from the SMWS.
A Speyside special featuring Glenlivet, GlenAllachie, Glen Elgin, Benromach, Tamdhu and Benrinnes.
The verdict on Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old, and lots of peat: Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ledaig and Croftengea.
Method and Madness’ acacia and cherry wood-matured whiskeys meet four Adelphis.
Glenturret’s new single malt range, two wood-influenced Ballantine's and JW&S 2016 Private Edition.
A selection of very youthful drams dominates this week, with whiskies from Ardbeg and Caol Ila.
A double dose of Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Glenfiddich Scotch whiskies from Dave Broom this week.
A collection of young Caol Ila bottlings meets Peat Chimney blended malt from Wemyss.
Dave Broom brings a mixed bag of flavours from Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Wolfburn.
New bottlings from Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Glenrothes, Fettercairn and Glen Scotia.
Tasting Gordon & MacPhail’s new Discovery range, plus maiden releases from Daftmill and Eden Mill.
Three fruity, mature old grains, a 1980s Coleburn plus a bold new Benromach.
It’s a Bunna’ bonanza this week, as Dave Broom tastes six drams from the Islay distillery.
An Irish special: Green Spot, The Irishman, Jameson, Midleton, Retronaut and Writer’s Tears.
A trip through Islay with Ardbeg's new 19-year-old, a wine-cask Kilchoman and Lagavulin 10.
Starting with Ardbeg Twenty Something, Dave Broom gets immersed in Scotland’s island whiskies.
A quartet of Milroy’s of Soho whiskies plus recent releases from Arran and Wemyss Malts.
The Speyside distillery is this week’s focus with seven single cask bottlings under the microscope.
BrewDog’s Boilermaker Series joins bottlings from Thompson Brothers and The Whisky Agency.
Four Annandale single casks lead a James Eadie Aultmore and acacia-matured Bushmills.
A quartet of whiskies from Deanston and Tobermory are bolstered by an elder Tomatin and Mortlach.
Two mature BenRiachs, plus indie-bottled Blair Athol, Craigellachie, Glen Keith and Tomatin.
A quartet of indie-bottled Caol Ilas, a spooky Macduff and Arran's oldest core release yet.
A 2002 anCnoc, four James Eadie bottlings – all under 10 years old – and a 20-year-old Longmorn.
Three lesser-known Speyside distilleries in the shape of Glen Spey, Speyburn and Strathmill.
A venerable Benromach, two unusual Cù Bòcans and Glenmorangie’s new travel retail range.
New year, new whiskies, including a 23-year-old Ardbeg and a trio aged in Ukrainian wine casks.
A concatenation of Caol Ilas with a couple of neighbours thrown in for good measure.
BenRiach Sherry Wood and a quintet of Glens, headed by Glengoyne’s latest Teapot Dram.
Five rarely seen Speyside malts: Glenburgie, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Miltonduff and Strathmill.
Two single malts, two single grains, two blended malts: a mixed bag of new whisky releases.
Jura’s Time and Tide meet bottlings from Ardmore, Auchroisk, Imperial and Miltonduff.
From Ardbeg Drum to Littlemill 40, this week’s reviews run the length and breadth of Scotland.
An aged Cally grain, a Dailuaine and two Caol Ilas, a Glenmorangie and a Compass Box blended malt.
A chocolatey Springbank, meaty Ledaig, plus Rock Island’s new maritime blended malts.
Dave Broom samples six truly venerable whiskies totalling an impressive 316 years old.
A trip around the islands sampling Lagavulin 1991, with a stop at Deanston for the new 40-year-old.
Indie bottlers Cadenhead and Asta Morris duke it out with Tomatin and Writers’ Tears.
Another investigation of a single malt at varying ages. This time, it’s Glenrothes’ turn.
A Gordon & MacPhail quartet, GlenDronach’s Boynsmill and Highland Park’s Twisted Tattoo.
Longmorn’s new NAS, Diageo’s Whiskey Union duo, Balblair 2005 and two silent distillery drams.
A barrage of Highland Parks bound for duty free, plus the milestone Benromach Cask No 1.
Two blended malts – Compass Box Juveniles and a 43-year-old Speyside – bookend four indie bottlings.
Dave Broom detects a sweet theme developing while tasting this week’s new whiskies.
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.
Two Craigellachies, Springbank Local Barley, Macallan Edition No 1, Wolfburn and Shetland Reel.
Two 50-year-olds from Glenfarclas and Last Drop, plus three Singleton of Glendullans and The Trojan.
High scores and diverse styles are the highlights of this week’s six-strong single malt offering.
A malts tour stopping at Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Dailuaine, Glen Moray, Lochside and Teaninich.
Dave Broom on a trio of grains, a brace of micro-provenance Bruichladdichs and a Tullibardine.
This week’s haul includes appearances from Springbank, Teaninich, Cragganmore and an ancient blend.
Dave Broom grapples with grains, including Caledonian, Haig Club Clubman and Port Dundas.
A series of show-stopper Scotch whiskies this week from Compass Box, Glenfarclas and Loch Lomond.
Another marvellous medley from Dave Broom featuring BenRiach, Timorous Beastie and Tullibardine.
If you’ve been wondering what Dave Broom thinks of Black Bowmore 50 Year Old, you’re in luck...
New bottlings include Cragganmore, Glenfarclas, Glen Garioch, Lossit, Shackleton and Speyside.
Dave Broom revisits some of the whiskies he found most intriguing from the first 99 batches.
Dave Broom on Consortium of Cards II, indie Glentauchers and new bottler North Star Spirits.
Five blended malts and one blend do battle as Dave Broom leaves single malts behind for a week.
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.
Tasting three Glen Morays, Tomatin Earth, Cù Bòcan 2006 and Ardnamurchan’s latest spirit release.
A stunning whisky line-up: 70yo Glenlivet, experimental Johnnie Walker, Compass Box and Wolfburn.
Youth meets maturity with Benromach, Glengoyne, Glenlossie, Glenrothes, Imperial and Tullibardine.
A mixed bag including Ballantines’ trio of single malts, The Gauldrons and two from Wemyss.
A quartet of Glenglassaugh wood finishes, accompanied by two indie-bottled Bunnahabhains.
Two blends, including the latest Johnnie Walker, three Bowmores, three 90-plus scores.
A sweet theme unites malts from Glen Moray, GlenDronach, Glengoyne, Glenmorangie and Pulteney.
Three grains, three malts: GlenDronach, Aultmore, Carsebridge, North British and Wolfburn.
Only two distilleries this week: Ardbeg Grooves Committee bottling and the new Jura range.
Gordon & MacPhail’s 1956 Linkwood, plus Tomintoul and an intriguing quartet of blended malts.
A release of six single cask single malts from the Speyside distillery, from 1978 to 1991.
Two Balblair vintages, Dalmore 45, Cadenhead Creations plus two Mossburn blended malts.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1989, plus two Aultmores, Bunnahabhain, Glen Garioch and Teaninich.
A duo from Ben Nevis and a Highland Park quartet find a musical match in dirty blues and deep soul.
Bushmills and Redbreast from Ireland, plus Glenmorangie, Glen Scotia and Jura from Scotland.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains, including a resurrected bottler and a fascinating maturation project.
Two 90+ pointers from Adelphi, The Famous Grouse’s Cask Series, plus Tomatin Moscatel finish.
Ardgowan’s Expedition, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage and four indie Macduffs and Miltonduffs.
A sextet of Bruichladdichs come calling this week, including a trio of new Octomores.
Aberfeldy’s Madeira finishes, a single cask Springbank, two James Eadies and a 1990 Cù Bòcan.
Glenmorangie Allta, Arbikie rye, Kingsbarns’ first release plus two Cardrona hatchlings.
An old Benromach, a blended malt and Daftmill’s Winter Release surround a trio of Tomatins.
Dave Broom goes rummaging through some lesser-known distilleries (and Aberfeldy) this week.
Blends take centre stage with Berry Bros’ Perspective Series, with a malt cameo from Scapa.
Port Askaig, Linkwood and Wemyss Malts complete the line-up of whiskies this week.
This week sees Dave Broom dive into a delirium of exclusive Daftmill whiskies.
Wemyss’ latest blended malts meet single casks from BenRiach, GlenDronach and Craigellachie.
This week is split between two trios, as venerable G&Ms meet experimental Bruichladdichs.
Dave Broom stops by Speyside for indie gems from Thompson Bros., Càrn Mòr and Cadenhead.
This week Becky Paskin gets acquainted with four new Wemyss Malts releases plus two peaty drams.
The discount retailer’s seasonal Scotches, including three aged blends and two mature malts.
Thirteen new single malts from Caperdonich, Longmorn, Glen Keith and Braes of Glenlivet.
It’s Speyside vs Edinburgh this week as Glenallachie and Glendullan stand up against North British.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains comes under scrutiny, along with Clynelish and Glenrothes.
Our editor Becky Paskin takes a journey through time with Balvenie’s DCS Compendium Chapter 3.
This week’s reviews include Balvenie DoubleWood 25, Aerstone and GlenDronach 15 Revival.
Teeling’s first release, Red Spot, Prince Charles’ Royal Lochnagar and that Amazon Bowmore.
Editor Becky Paskin delivers her verdict on the much-anticipated Game of Thrones single malts.
Indie bottlings of Glen Elgin, Mortlach and Caol Ila most impressed Dave Broom this year.
Celebrating a feral Ardbeg, a seamless Johnnie Walker blend, and an ethereal old Tomatin.
A Balvenie tribute, an elderly Talisker and a chewy GlenDronach caught Becky Paskin’s eye.
Dave Broom selects an eclectic trio of whiskies as his top drams of 2017.
Our editor covers all bases with her favourites of 2016: a single malt, single grain and a blend.
Smoke is the overriding theme as our magazine editor picks his three stand-out whiskies of 2016.
A sublime trio: Glenmorangie Astar redux, ethereal Brora and Midleton from the archives.
Our editor’s top whiskies include an Irish revival, an ageing Ardbeg and dram with no name.
In a year of discovery, there were three whiskies that really captivated our street-wise novice.
Smoky, floral and fruity – we’d expect nothing but an eclectic mix of drams from our chief engineer.
Our magazine editor chooses his whisky highlights from 2015, including two bargain Speyside malts.
Dave Broom looks back on 2015 with whisky-tinted glasses and selects his three stand-out drams.
Our editor, Becky Paskin, selects her top three Scotch whiskies tasted in 2015.
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.
Angus MacRaild samples a trio of 1970s whiskies from Dallas Dhu, Macallan and Scapa.
A trio of Islay whiskies, including the oldest Caol Ila ever bottled, deliver high scores.
Three cracking whiskies here – if you can find them – from Glenury Royal, Caol Ila and Glen Grant.
A ‘totally stunning’ 1974 Caol Ila sizes up to a magnificent Mortlach and 1930s blend.
A ‘gutsy’ ‘90s Sherried Bowmore, alongside textbook examples of ‘70s Bruichladdich and Caol Ila.
Moon Import’s revered Costume Series gets an airing in this week’s rare whisky reviews.
A 1970s trio featuring a Cardhu 12-year-old, Glen Ila 5-year-old and Strathconon 12-year-old.
Angus MacRaild argues in favour of Port Ellen’s allure with three extremely rare bottlings.
A Karuizawa triptych illustrates the enduring excellence of this cult Japanese single malt.
Three rare Japanese morsels are examined, but not all of these Eastern drams show promise.
Exploring a Gordon & MacPhail trio of 40% abv whiskies, including two Glens and an Ardbeg.
Tasting three 1970s and 1980s Sherried beauties from Aberlour, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
Head back in time with a 1960s Glenugie, 1950s Balblair and a rare 1930s Glamis single malt.
Some well-aged drams from Bruichladdich, Dalmore and Deanston are plucked from the vaults.
Three modern-era ‘legends’ are reviewed, from Balblair, Bunnahabhain and Springbank.
Three accessible old whiskies, including Bruichladdich, Pride of Strathspey and a Reliance blend.
A high-octane tasting of Auld Niblick, Macallan ‘As We Get It’ and MacPhail’s Pure Malt.
Three blends from the 1920s-50s have Angus MacRaild dreaming of a bygone era.
Three ‘70s whiskies from Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection: Allt-a-Bhainne, Auchroisk and Imperial
A trio of 1960s and ‘70s Signatory malts from Campeltown, Islay and the Highlands.
Three ‘70s and ‘80s bottlings from cult distilleries Brora, Glenlochy and Glenugie.
Exploring more affordable rare whiskies with 1980s Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Longmorn.
An ‘80s Ballantine’s, ‘60s Glen Albyn and ‘70s Glenlivet deliver impressively high scores.
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.
Dusting off three rare Signatory bottlings of Craigduff, Kinclaith and Rare Ayrshire/Ladyburn.
A 1940s White Horse bottled for the US joins a rare Aultmore and an ‘austere’ Clynelish.
A mixed bag of single malts, regions and styles, including Glenlossie, Jura and Laphroaig.
Two Scotch and one Japanese, featuring a 1971 North of Scotland, 1949 Strathisla and 1979 Yamazaki.
A rollercoaster ride with a duty free Aberlour, a beautiful Brora and a disappointing Talisker.
A 17-year-old Cragganmore, 34-year-old Glenturret from Berry Bros and 25-year-old Rosebank.
A 10-year-old Army & Navy Glen Grant, 27-year-old Glen Grant and 1969 Longmorn.
Verdicts on a release from mothballed Convalmore, a cult Bowmore – and a Talisker Oddbins special.
Dave Broom gets to know three rare whiskies: a 1990 Ardbeg, 1977 Brora and 1967 Highland Park.
All Ardbegs, including two 27-year-old Old Malt Cask bottlings, plus a 32-year-old release.
Dave Broom retastes his first Port Ellen, while two rare Macallans are raised from the archive.
Three of the somewhat less heralded ‘Glens’ this time: Glen Garioch, Glen Elgin and Glengoyne.
The first SMWS bottling of Longrow, plus a lesser-spotted Inchgower and a Tomatin from the 1970s.
There’s a contemplative air as Dave Broom tastes old Glen Grant, Springbank and Tomatin.
An early Aberlour bottled for the Italian market, plus ‘ghost’ malts from Brora and Lochside.