Batch 121: Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter 3
Our editor Becky Paskin takes a journey through time with Balvenie’s DCS Compendium Chapter 3.
Our editor Becky Paskin takes a journey through time with Balvenie’s DCS Compendium Chapter 3.
A Highland-accented collection, including a quartet of Balblair vintages and an NAS Dalwhinnie.
Independent bottlings for the Islay Festival, including Bowmore, Bunnahabhain 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.
Our festival special ends with Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Jura, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
Dave Broom rounds out the year with a party of Pulteneys and Big Peat’s annual festive bottling.
Three Irish whiskeys this week, plus the return of Crabbie’s to Scotch and an Islay single malt.
Method and Madness’ acacia and cherry wood-matured whiskeys meet four Adelphis.
Thoughts on the latest whiskies from Benromach, Glen Moray, Ledaig and Tomatin.
Whiskies by Royal Salute and Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare put lost distilleries into focus.
The Islay Fest continues with Scarabus, Aerolite Lyndsay and a smattering of Fèis Ìle drams.
Festival part two, including Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Jura, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
Jameson Bow Street 18, Jura One For You, Method & Madness Hungarian Oak and Wolfburn Langskip.
The verdict on Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old, and lots of peat: Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ledaig and Croftengea.
Glen Moray, Glen Scotia, Auchroisk, Longrow and Springbank, with some fascinating finishes.
A selection of very youthful drams dominates this week, with whiskies from Ardbeg and Caol Ila.
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.
Diversity reigns: 50-year-old Macallan, peated anCnoc, two Macduffs, two wine cask finishes.
New Compass Box Hedonism, Bladnoch Bicentennial, BenRiach, Aultmore, Glenallachie and Glen Spey.
Three Bs – Balmenach, Benrinnes and Bowmore – and three Glens – Scotia, Moray and Glenlossie.
A Tamdhu trio vie with Glenlivet’s Winchester malt and Whisky Works’ newest releases.
Balblair’s age-stated core range plus Glenfiddich Grand Cru and Glenlivet 14 Year Old Cognac Finish.
BrewDog’s Boilermaker Series joins bottlings from Thompson Brothers and The Whisky Agency.
This week’s flavour theme is ‘big’, featuring BenRiach, Glenfarclas, Tamdhu and Timorous Beastie.
Macallan Boutique Collection joins bottlings from Adelphi, James Eadie and Thompson Bros.
Our editors assess this year’s eagerly anticipated collection of Scotch whiskies from Diageo.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1989, plus two Aultmores, Bunnahabhain, Glen Garioch and Teaninich.
The first half of this year’s festival bottlings, featuring Ardbeg, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
New bottlings include Cragganmore, Glenfarclas, Glen Garioch, Lossit, Shackleton and Speyside.
Featuring the first Chivas Regal blended malt plus the 200th anniversary 25-year-old Lagavulin.
Ardbeg Kelpie, Douglas Laing’s first Consortium of Cards release and a 40-year-old Carsebridge.
Octomore’s 08 series, Kilchoman 2009 and Red Wine Cask Matured, plus Ardbeg Twenty Something.
Thirteen new single malts from Caperdonich, Longmorn, Glen Keith and Braes of Glenlivet.
Three lesser-known Speyside distilleries in the shape of Glen Spey, Speyburn and Strathmill.
A concatenation of Caol Ilas with a couple of neighbours thrown in for good measure.
New whiskies including Highland Park Valkyrie and a trio of bargain-priced Lidl single malts.
A quartet of Glenglassaugh wood finishes, accompanied by two indie-bottled Bunnahabhains.
From Ardbeg Drum to Littlemill 40, this week’s reviews run the length and breadth of Scotland.
Dave Broom burns through a smoky Islay quartet, a Sherried Benromach and Wolfburn’s new release.
From Imperial to Littlemill, Dave Broom loses himself in old drams from indie bottlers.
Two blends, including the latest Johnnie Walker, three Bowmores, three 90-plus scores.
Gordon & MacPhail’s 1956 Linkwood, plus Tomintoul and an intriguing quartet of blended malts.
Four Annandale single casks lead a James Eadie Aultmore and acacia-matured Bushmills.
Dave Broom stops by Speyside for indie gems from Thompson Bros., Càrn Mòr and Cadenhead.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains comes under scrutiny, along with Clynelish and Glenrothes.
Johnnie Walker’s White Walker and 2018’s Flaming Heart are joined by a gaggle of grains.
Glenmorangie Allta, Arbikie rye, Kingsbarns’ first release plus two Cardrona hatchlings.
It’s Speyside vs Edinburgh this week as Glenallachie and Glendullan stand up against North British.
A round-up of 2019’s official Islay Festival whiskies, including Ardbeg, Bowmore and Octomore.
Jura’s Time and Tide meet bottlings from Ardmore, Auchroisk, Imperial and Miltonduff.
Two Balblair vintages, Dalmore 45, Cadenhead Creations plus two Mossburn blended malts.
An Irish special: Green Spot, The Irishman, Jameson, Midleton, Retronaut and Writer’s Tears.
Smoky drams from Ledaig, Bunnahabhain, Elements of Islay and Rock Oyster, plus Jura and Strathmill.
An assortment of treats this week from the likes of Lagavulin, Kilchoman, Glenmorangie and anCnoc.
Two Craigellachies, Springbank Local Barley, Macallan Edition No 1, Wolfburn and Shetland Reel.
Dave Broom samples the 2017 John Walker Private Collection blend and a trio of Bladnochs.
A dark and richly flavoured theme, with Benrinnes, Mortlach, Dailuaine, Highland Park and The E&K.
Pitting Master of Malt against Gordon & MacPhail as both bottlers take on Chivas distilleries.
Blends take centre stage with Berry Bros’ Perspective Series, with a malt cameo from Scapa.
Age and time is the theme this week, with Ghost and Rare, Linkwood and a quartet of old Longmorns.
Seven of GlenDronach’s 15 single cask releases for 2018 – all Sherry-matured bar one Port pipe.
An aged Cally grain, a Dailuaine and two Caol Ilas, a Glenmorangie and a Compass Box blended malt.
Dave Broom inspects G&M’s Wood Makes the Whisky series, alongside a rare 1950 Glen Grant.
This week’s new whiskies include Arran 18, Laphroaig Lore, and two duty free Auchentoshans.
Tasting notes on Highland Park Ice, Grant’s Elementary, Deanston Organic and Benriach Cask Strength.
It’s springtime in new whisky corner as two Bruichladdichs, three Glencadams and a Glen Moray arise.
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.
Aberlour, Balvenie, Fettercairn, Girvan, Invergordon and Mortlach – and not an NAS in sight.
This week’s whiskies include a smattering of Old Perth, Bunnahabhain, Dailuaine and Glendullan.
Dave Broom brings a mixed bag of flavours from Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Wolfburn.
Glendronach, Laphroaig, Macallan and Springbank – they’re all included in the latest new releases.
A Speyside-themed selection this week, including Braeval, Linkwood and Tormore.
Five rarely seen Speyside malts: Glenburgie, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Miltonduff and Strathmill.
Dave Broom reviews Glenmorangie Spìos, Tullibardine 1962 and Tomatin Metal and Water.
Three grains, three malts: GlenDronach, Aultmore, Carsebridge, North British and Wolfburn.
Blends, malts, and blended malts, including Clynelish, Glengoyne and Compass Box Delilah’s.
It’s a Bunna’ bonanza this week, as Dave Broom tastes six drams from the Islay distillery.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains, including a resurrected bottler and a fascinating maturation project.
A quartet of whiskies from Deanston and Tobermory are bolstered by an elder Tomatin and Mortlach.
A Gordon & MacPhail quartet, GlenDronach’s Boynsmill and Highland Park’s Twisted Tattoo.
Dave Broom samples six truly venerable whiskies totalling an impressive 316 years old.
In a battle of the retailers, Royal Mile Whiskies goes head-to-head with The Whisky Exchange.
Dave Broom on Consortium of Cards II, indie Glentauchers and new bottler North Star Spirits.
BenRiach Sherry Wood and a quintet of Glens, headed by Glengoyne’s latest Teapot Dram.
Two single malts, two single grains, two blended malts: a mixed bag of new whisky releases.
Three fruity, mature old grains, a 1980s Coleburn plus a bold new Benromach.
A chocolatey Springbank, meaty Ledaig, plus Rock Island’s new maritime blended malts.
Another marvellous medley from Dave Broom featuring BenRiach, Timorous Beastie and Tullibardine.
Four younger malts compete for Dave Broom’s affections, while he is seduced by a 1972 Tomatin.
Starting with Ardbeg Twenty Something, Dave Broom gets immersed in Scotland’s island whiskies.
A 30-year-old Glen Grant and a trio of Longmorns are the film stars of Dave Broom’s tasting notes.
This week’s tasting notes start with Benromach 1973 and end with a Sherried Tullibardine.
New year, new whiskies, including a 23-year-old Ardbeg and a trio aged in Ukrainian wine casks.
Two blended malts – Compass Box Juveniles and a 43-year-old Speyside – bookend four indie bottlings.
A 1-2-3 of malts from Loch Lomond Group: three Glen Scotias, two Inchmurrins and a Loch Lomond.
A quartet of indie-bottled Caol Ilas, a spooky Macduff and Arran's oldest core release yet.
From Jura to Dalmore via Islay and Oban, six more new whiskies get the Dave Broom tasting treatment.
Plenty of single grain this week, alongside two blends – including a rye-accented Johnnie Walker.
Dave Broom's tasting notes on a trio of indie bottlings, two Deverons and a supercharged Ardbeg.
Two bovine blends, surrealist art and a peaty finish feature in this week's selection of whiskies.
Five new Balvenie whiskies pay tribute to malt master David Stewart. But are they any good?
Port Ellen, Brora, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, Dailuaine, Pittyvaich and The Cally.
A 48- and 5-year-old malt bookend three IBs and a Deanston in Dave Broom's latest tasting.
Glenturret’s new single malt range, two wood-influenced Ballantine's and JW&S 2016 Private Edition.
Longmorn’s new NAS, Diageo’s Whiskey Union duo, Balblair 2005 and two silent distillery drams.
The first release from Ailsa Bay lands on Dave Broom’s doorstep this week, alongside other delights.
Islay whiskies to mark the start of Fèis Ìle, with peat to the fore – but not altogether dominating.
Dave Broom pours out his thoughts on a ‘monster’ Mortlach and Cadenhead blended grain.
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.
Highland Park Fire, two Wemyss Batch Strength whiskies and a trio of Tomatin travel retail releases.
This week’s picks include a trio of meaty drams from Balmenach, GlenDronach and Macallan.
A trip around the islands sampling Lagavulin 1991, with a stop at Deanston for the new 40-year-old.
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.
Six Speyside single malts from Glenallachie, Glen Spey and Miltonduff distilleries.
Dave Broom shares a taste of Islay this week, as the 2017 Fèis Ìle gets under way.
As the Islay Festival draws to a close, Dave Broom brings you a mix of Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila.
Dave Broom revisits some of the whiskies he found most intriguing from the first 99 batches.
A rich and sweet theme including three Dalmores, Highland Park, Glenrothes and Auchentoshan.
Five blended malts and one blend do battle as Dave Broom leaves single malts behind for a week.
The Speyside distillery is this week’s focus with seven single cask bottlings under the microscope.
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.
Two mature BenRiachs, plus indie-bottled Blair Athol, Craigellachie, Glen Keith and Tomatin.
Bushmills and Redbreast from Ireland, plus Glenmorangie, Glen Scotia and Jura from Scotland.
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.
A gaggle of Glenrothes vie for attention this week, plus Johnnie Walker’s Midnight Blend.
Indie bottlers Cadenhead and Asta Morris duke it out with Tomatin and Writers’ Tears.
Compass Box’s Calvados-Scotch blend, plus the first releases from the Whisky Sponge.
Port Askaig’s 10th anniversary malt, plus Benrinnes, Caol Ila and Linkwood from the indies.
This week sees Dave Broom dive into a delirium of exclusive Daftmill whiskies.
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.
The annual line-up, featuring a handful of rarities alongside a number of old favourites.
This week Becky Paskin gets acquainted with four new Wemyss Malts releases plus two peaty drams.
Scallywag and Timorous Beastie’s big brothers get a grilling, alongside a host of indie bottlings.
Delayed, but worth the wait, as Becky Paskin reviews Campbeltown’s festival editions.
Teeling’s first release, Red Spot, Prince Charles’ Royal Lochnagar and that Amazon Bowmore.
In a year of discovery, there were three whiskies that really captivated our street-wise novice.
Dave Broom looks back on 2015 with whisky-tinted glasses and selects his three stand-out drams.
Our editor covers all bases with her favourites of 2016: a single malt, single grain and a blend.
Our magazine editor chooses his whisky highlights from 2015, including two bargain Speyside malts.
Our editor’s top whiskies include an Irish revival, an ageing Ardbeg and dram with no name.
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.
A sublime trio: Glenmorangie Astar redux, ethereal Brora and Midleton from the archives.
Celebrating a feral Ardbeg, a seamless Johnnie Walker blend, and an ethereal old Tomatin.
Macallan, Springbank and Port Ellen all feature in our latest selection from the whisky vaults.
An impressive, well-matured 1960s trio of single malts from Jura, Springbank and Tamdhu.
Three old bottlings that demonstrate the variety available in whisky’s back catalogue.
Tripping on fruity old Glenugie, fragrant 1960s Glenlochy and a flabby 1940s blend.
Three full-bodied 1940s and ‘50s whiskies bottled for the US take Angus MacRaild’s fancy.
Angus MacRaild argues in favour of Port Ellen’s allure with three extremely rare bottlings.
A 10-year-old Laphroaig, 12-year-old Springbank and a 1930s Whyte & Mackay 10-year-old blend.
From the vaults Dave Broom has chosen a 16-year-old Convalmore, plus 10- and 30-year-old Laphroaigs.
Two Scotch and one Japanese, featuring a 1971 North of Scotland, 1949 Strathisla and 1979 Yamazaki.
Dusting off three rare Signatory bottlings of Craigduff, Kinclaith and Rare Ayrshire/Ladyburn.
An ‘80s Ballantine’s, ‘60s Glen Albyn and ‘70s Glenlivet deliver impressively high scores.
A 1940s White Horse bottled for the US joins a rare Aultmore and an ‘austere’ Clynelish.
From the sublime to the downright disgusting, three rare whiskies from the ’60s and ’70s.
A Karuizawa triptych illustrates the enduring excellence of this cult Japanese single malt.
A rummage through the vaults has brought Aberlour, John Begg and Ladyburn treasures to light.
Dave Broom retastes his first Port Ellen, while two rare Macallans are raised from the archive.
A royal pair – Highland Queen and King's Ransom – are attended by a millennium blended malt.
Head back in time with a 1960s Glenugie, 1950s Balblair and a rare 1930s Glamis single malt.
Three modern-era ‘legends’ are reviewed, from Balblair, Bunnahabhain and Springbank.
Two cult brand bottlings plus an often overlooked malt have surfaced from the archives for tasting.
Verdicts on a release from mothballed Convalmore, a cult Bowmore – and a Talisker Oddbins special.
Tasting a fascinating ‘70s Aberlour, a historic ‘40s Kilbeggan and a surprising ‘80s Fettercairn.
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.
A trio of Gordon & MacPhail gems distilled around the time of the Second World War.
Exploring a Gordon & MacPhail trio of 40% abv whiskies, including two Glens and an Ardbeg.
Three accessible old whiskies, including Bruichladdich, Pride of Strathspey and a Reliance blend.
An elegant post-war Glen Grant, an opinion-dividing ’70s Ledaig and waxy ’60s Tullibardine.
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.
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 ‘totally stunning’ 1974 Caol Ila sizes up to a magnificent Mortlach and 1930s blend.
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 blends from the 1920s-50s have Angus MacRaild dreaming of a bygone era.
Tasting three 1970s and 1980s Sherried beauties from Aberlour, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
Three old Glens demonstrate the breadth of styles being made in Speyside in the 1970s.
A trio of early releases from the SMWS, including Glendullan, Glen Esk and Inchmurrin.
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.
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 trio of Islay whiskies from Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Ellen impress Angus MacRaild.
A mixed bag of single malts, regions and styles, including Glenlossie, Jura and Laphroaig.
A 1970s Glen Flagler bottled for Italy, a celebratory Glen Ord and a fresh 1980s Glen Spey.
All Ardbegs, including two 27-year-old Old Malt Cask bottlings, plus a 32-year-old release.
Three of the somewhat less heralded ‘Glens’ this time: Glen Garioch, Glen Elgin and Glengoyne.
Dave Broom gets to know three rare whiskies: a 1990 Ardbeg, 1977 Brora and 1967 Highland Park.
In preparation for the Speyside whisky fest, Dave has chosen three rare Speysiders from the vault.
A 1970s trio featuring a Cardhu 12-year-old, Glen Ila 5-year-old and Strathconon 12-year-old.
Two peated treats from Port Ellen and Talisker, plus a ‘funky’ but fine Glen Grant.
A 10-year-old Army & Navy Glen Grant, 27-year-old Glen Grant and 1969 Longmorn.
An early Aberlour bottled for the Italian market, plus ‘ghost’ malts from Brora and Lochside.
A 17-year-old Cragganmore, 34-year-old Glenturret from Berry Bros and 25-year-old Rosebank.
This batch features a 25-year-old Ardbeg, 38-year-old Bowmore and 21-year-old Port Ellen.
A 19-year-old Aberfeldy Manager’s Dram, 1930s 12-year-old Longmorn and 25-year-old Talisker.
Three cracking whiskies here – if you can find them – from Glenury Royal, Caol Ila and Glen Grant.
A rollercoaster ride with a duty free Aberlour, a beautiful Brora and a disappointing Talisker.
Dave Broom revisits three legendary Port Ellens, but wonders if the liquid is worth the hype.
There’s a contemplative air as Dave Broom tastes old Glen Grant, Springbank and Tomatin.