Batch 87: Irish whiskey
The first non-Scotch set of whiskies features five new Irish releases in time for St Patrick’s Day.
The first non-Scotch set of whiskies features five new Irish releases in time for St Patrick’s Day.
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.
The new Balvenie Stories range leads a Glenlivet, a GlenDronach and The Moffat blend.
Four Annandale single casks lead a James Eadie Aultmore and acacia-matured Bushmills.
Blends, grains and malts: Cadenhead, Cambus, Dufftown, James Eadie, Linkwood and Strathclyde.
A smoky Islay special, including two single malts each from Caol Ila, Kilchoman and Peat’s Beast.
Aberfeldy’s Madeira finishes, a single cask Springbank, two James Eadies and a 1990 Cù Bòcan.
Festival part two, including Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Jura, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
Diversity reigns: 50-year-old Macallan, peated anCnoc, two Macduffs, two wine cask finishes.
A Tamdhu trio vie with Glenlivet’s Winchester malt and Whisky Works’ newest releases.
Our round-up of Islay Festival bottlings starts with Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila.
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.
A Black Friday special, with malts from Orkney, Campbeltown, Glen Moray and Glentauchers.
A stunning whisky line-up: 70yo Glenlivet, experimental Johnnie Walker, Compass Box and Wolfburn.
Five rarely seen Speyside malts: Glenburgie, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Miltonduff and Strathmill.
Port Askaig’s 10th anniversary malt, plus Benrinnes, Caol Ila and Linkwood from the indies.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains, including a resurrected bottler and a fascinating maturation project.
Dave Broom stops by Speyside for indie gems from Thompson Bros., Càrn Mòr and Cadenhead.
Tasting Gordon & MacPhail’s new Discovery range, plus maiden releases from Daftmill and Eden Mill.
Two Balblair vintages, Dalmore 45, Cadenhead Creations plus two Mossburn blended malts.
Getting to grips with GlenAllachie’s new core range, as well as two stunners from Asta Morris.
A venerable Benromach, two unusual Cù Bòcans and Glenmorangie’s new travel retail range.
A release of six single cask single malts from the Speyside distillery, from 1978 to 1991.
BrewDog’s Boilermaker Series joins bottlings from Thompson Brothers and The Whisky Agency.
Jameson Bow Street 18, Jura One For You, Method & Madness Hungarian Oak and Wolfburn Langskip.
Dave Broom goes rummaging through some lesser-known distilleries (and Aberfeldy) this week.
From Imperial to Littlemill, Dave Broom loses himself in old drams from indie bottlers.
A duo from Ben Nevis and a Highland Park quartet find a musical match in dirty blues and deep soul.
A quartet of Glenglassaugh wood finishes, accompanied by two indie-bottled Bunnahabhains.
A concatenation of Caol Ilas with a couple of neighbours thrown in for good measure.
Two 90+ pointers from Adelphi, The Famous Grouse’s Cask Series, plus Tomatin Moscatel finish.
This week sees Dave Broom dive into a delirium of exclusive Daftmill whiskies.
A round-up of 2019’s official Islay Festival whiskies, including Ardbeg, Bowmore and Octomore.
Another eclectic selection of whiskies this week, including Bruichladdich, Dalmore and Talisker.
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.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1989, plus two Aultmores, Bunnahabhain, Glen Garioch and Teaninich.
Two single malts, two single grains, two blended malts: a mixed bag of new whisky releases.
Linkwood, Dailuaine, Inchgower and Tamdhu from Speyside, plus a lone interloper from Arran.
Another investigation of a single malt at varying ages. This time, it’s Glenrothes’ turn.
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.
It’s a feast this week with Octomore 10, Rosebank Jealousy and a Sherried single grain.
From Ardbeg Drum to Littlemill 40, this week’s reviews run the length and breadth of Scotland.
An old Benromach, a blended malt and Daftmill’s Winter Release surround a trio of Tomatins.
Dave Broom burns through a smoky Islay quartet, a Sherried Benromach and Wolfburn’s new release.
Indie bottlers Cadenhead and Asta Morris duke it out with Tomatin and Writers’ Tears.
Port Askaig, Linkwood and Wemyss Malts complete the line-up of whiskies this week.
This year’s series includes single malts from Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Ledaig and Tobermory.
A trip through Islay with Ardbeg's new 19-year-old, a wine-cask Kilchoman and Lagavulin 10.
Glenmorangie Allta, Arbikie rye, Kingsbarns’ first release plus two Cardrona hatchlings.
An assortment of treats this week from the likes of Lagavulin, Kilchoman, Glenmorangie and anCnoc.
Octomore’s 08 series, Kilchoman 2009 and Red Wine Cask Matured, plus Ardbeg Twenty Something.
In a battle of the retailers, Royal Mile Whiskies goes head-to-head with The Whisky Exchange.
Starting with Ardbeg Twenty Something, Dave Broom gets immersed in Scotland’s island whiskies.
Glen Moray, Glen Scotia, Auchroisk, Longrow and Springbank, with some fascinating finishes.
Bushmills and Redbreast from Ireland, plus Glenmorangie, Glen Scotia and Jura from Scotland.
Balblair’s age-stated core range plus Glenfiddich Grand Cru and Glenlivet 14 Year Old Cognac Finish.
Ardgowan’s Expedition, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage and four indie Macduffs and Miltonduffs.
BenRiach Sherry Wood and a quintet of Glens, headed by Glengoyne’s latest Teapot Dram.
Blends take centre stage with Berry Bros’ Perspective Series, with a malt cameo from Scapa.
Two blends, including the latest Johnnie Walker, three Bowmores, three 90-plus scores.
Five new Balvenie whiskies pay tribute to malt master David Stewart. But are they any good?
Longmorn’s new NAS, Diageo’s Whiskey Union duo, Balblair 2005 and two silent distillery drams.
Dave Broom on Consortium of Cards II, indie Glentauchers and new bottler North Star Spirits.
North British’s first commercial release, plus whiskies from Arran, Glenfarclas and Linkwood.
A collection of young Caol Ila bottlings meets Peat Chimney blended malt from Wemyss.
Thirteen new single malts from Caperdonich, Longmorn, Glen Keith and Braes of Glenlivet.
The annual line-up, featuring a handful of rarities alongside a number of old favourites.
Independent bottlings for the Islay Festival, including Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig.
The second batch of festival bottlings: Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Charlotte.
Delayed, but worth the wait, as Becky Paskin reviews Campbeltown’s festival editions.
This week’s reviews include Balvenie DoubleWood 25, Aerstone and GlenDronach 15 Revival.
Editor Becky Paskin delivers her verdict on the much-anticipated Game of Thrones single malts.
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, Macallan Edition No 4, Talisker 40 and Mortlach’s new core range.
Smoky, floral and fruity – we’d expect nothing but an eclectic mix of drams from our chief engineer.
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.
A sublime trio: Glenmorangie Astar redux, ethereal Brora and Midleton from the archives.
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.
Some well-aged drams from Bruichladdich, Dalmore and Deanston are plucked from the vaults.
Macallan, Springbank and Port Ellen all feature in our latest selection from the whisky vaults.
Angus MacRaild argues in favour of Port Ellen’s allure with three extremely rare bottlings.
A ‘totally stunning’ 1974 Caol Ila sizes up to a magnificent Mortlach and 1930s blend.
Three old Glens demonstrate the breadth of styles being made in Speyside in the 1970s.
Three full-bodied 1940s and ‘50s whiskies bottled for the US take Angus MacRaild’s fancy.
A rare Karuizawa and cult whiskies from Laphroaig and Royal Brackla astonish MacRaild.
Three blends from the 1920s-50s have Angus MacRaild dreaming of a bygone era.
A ‘thrilling’ 1980s Dailuaine joins a ‘60s Bruichladdich and an unusual Caperdonich.
A high-octane tasting of Auld Niblick, Macallan ‘As We Get It’ and MacPhail’s Pure Malt.
A trio of 1960s and ‘70s Signatory malts from Campeltown, Islay and the Highlands.
Dusting off three rare Signatory bottlings of Craigduff, Kinclaith and Rare Ayrshire/Ladyburn.
A trio of Gordon & MacPhail gems distilled around the time of the Second World War.
An impressive, well-matured 1960s trio of single malts from Jura, Springbank and Tamdhu.
Three legendary (and rightly so) SMWS bottlings, including the very first from the society.
Three spirit-driven 1970s single malts from Ardmore, Glen Garioch and Glenlivet.
A trio of early releases from the SMWS, including Glendullan, Glen Esk and Inchmurrin.
Kicking off the New Year with a diverse trio of illustrious Cadenhead Dumpies.
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.
Three less heralded whiskies, including single malts from Ardmore, Glendullan and Millburn.
A trio of Islay whiskies from Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Ellen impress Angus MacRaild.
A rummage through the vaults has brought Aberlour, John Begg and Ladyburn treasures to light.
In preparation for the Speyside whisky fest, Dave has chosen three rare Speysiders from the vault.
There’s a contemplative air as Dave Broom tastes old Glen Grant, Springbank and Tomatin.
Three of the somewhat less heralded ‘Glens’ this time: Glen Garioch, Glen Elgin and Glengoyne.
A 17-year-old Cragganmore, 34-year-old Glenturret from Berry Bros and 25-year-old Rosebank.