Batch 114
Dave Broom tries spirits from the opposite ends of the age spectrum in this week’s reviews.
Dave Broom tries spirits from the opposite ends of the age spectrum in this week’s reviews.
Dave Broom reviews Glenmorangie Spìos, Tullibardine 1962 and Tomatin Metal and Water.
A chocolatey Springbank, meaty Ledaig, plus Rock Island’s new maritime blended malts.
Diversity reigns: 50-year-old Macallan, peated anCnoc, two Macduffs, two wine cask finishes.
This week’s reviews include Balvenie DoubleWood 25, Aerstone and GlenDronach 15 Revival.
Seven of GlenDronach’s 15 single cask releases for 2018 – all Sherry-matured bar one Port pipe.
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.
Getting to grips with GlenAllachie’s new core range, as well as two stunners from Asta Morris.
This week sees Dave Broom dive into a delirium of exclusive Daftmill whiskies.
A Laddie-fest as four Bruichladdichs are tasted, plus a Fettercairn and the latest Highland Park.
Jameson Triple Triple, GlenAllachie’s Wood Finish range plus Loch Lomond’s latest releases.
A gaggle of Glenrothes vie for attention this week, plus Johnnie Walker’s Midnight Blend.
Dave Broom samples six truly venerable whiskies totalling an impressive 316 years old.
A Speyside special featuring Glenlivet, GlenAllachie, Glen Elgin, Benromach, Tamdhu and Benrinnes.
Delayed, but worth the wait, as Becky Paskin reviews Campbeltown’s festival editions.
The new Balvenie Stories range leads a Glenlivet, a GlenDronach and The Moffat blend.
The Islay Fest continues with Scarabus, Aerolite Lyndsay and a smattering of Fèis Ìle drams.
Three Irish whiskeys this week, plus the return of Crabbie’s to Scotch and an Islay single malt.
Port Askaig, Linkwood and Wemyss Malts complete the line-up of whiskies this week.
A Gordon & MacPhail quartet, GlenDronach’s Boynsmill and Highland Park’s Twisted Tattoo.
Whiskies by Royal Salute and Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare put lost distilleries into focus.
Compass Box’s No Name No. 2 and Whyte & Mackay’s Light join four indie bottlings.
Blends, grains and malts: Cadenhead, Cambus, Dufftown, James Eadie, Linkwood and Strathclyde.
Ardgowan’s Expedition, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage and four indie Macduffs and Miltonduffs.
The new Ardbeg An Oa, Glenmorangie Astar plus four Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels.
Another investigation of a single malt at varying ages. This time, it’s Glenrothes’ turn.
A concatenation of Caol Ilas with a couple of neighbours thrown in for good measure.
Four Islay whiskies, including Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain, plus Glenlivet and Aultmore from the SMWS.
A Tamdhu trio vie with Glenlivet’s Winchester malt and Whisky Works’ newest releases.
Jameson Bow Street 18, Jura One For You, Method & Madness Hungarian Oak and Wolfburn Langskip.
Compass Box’s Calvados-Scotch blend, plus the first releases from the Whisky Sponge.
BrewDog’s Boilermaker Series joins bottlings from Thompson Brothers and The Whisky Agency.
Dave Broom stops by Speyside for indie gems from Thompson Bros., Càrn Mòr and Cadenhead.
Two 90+ pointers from Adelphi, The Famous Grouse’s Cask Series, plus Tomatin Moscatel finish.
Age and time is the theme this week, with Ghost and Rare, Linkwood and a quartet of old Longmorns.
Dave Broom on Consortium of Cards II, indie Glentauchers and new bottler North Star Spirits.
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.
Octomore’s 08 series, Kilchoman 2009 and Red Wine Cask Matured, plus Ardbeg Twenty Something.
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.
Two Balblair vintages, Dalmore 45, Cadenhead Creations plus two Mossburn blended malts.
A barrage of Highland Parks bound for duty free, plus the milestone Benromach Cask No 1.
Starting with Ardbeg Twenty Something, Dave Broom gets immersed in Scotland’s island whiskies.
Pitting Master of Malt against Gordon & MacPhail as both bottlers take on Chivas distilleries.
Port Askaig’s 10th anniversary malt, plus Benrinnes, Caol Ila and Linkwood from the indies.
This week is split between two trios, as venerable G&Ms meet experimental Bruichladdichs.
A collection of young Caol Ila bottlings meets Peat Chimney blended malt from Wemyss.
Three malts, three grains: Balblair, Glentauchers, Cambus, North British and Strathclyde.
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, Macallan Edition No 4, Talisker 40 and Mortlach’s new core range.
A venerable Benromach, two unusual Cù Bòcans and Glenmorangie’s new travel retail range.
It’s Speyside vs Edinburgh this week as Glenallachie and Glendullan stand up against North British.
Teeling’s first release, Red Spot, Prince Charles’ Royal Lochnagar and that Amazon Bowmore.
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.
Macallan Boutique Collection joins bottlings from Adelphi, James Eadie and Thompson Bros.
Method and Madness’ acacia and cherry wood-matured whiskeys meet four Adelphis.
Tasting three Glen Morays, Tomatin Earth, Cù Bòcan 2006 and Ardnamurchan’s latest spirit release.
Johnnie Walker’s White Walker and 2018’s Flaming Heart are joined by a gaggle of grains.
A smoky Islay special, including two single malts each from Caol Ila, Kilchoman and Peat’s Beast.
It’s a Bunna’ bonanza this week, as Dave Broom tastes six drams from the Islay distillery.
Our editors assess this year’s eagerly anticipated collection of Scotch whiskies from Diageo.
Linkwood, Dailuaine, Inchgower and Tamdhu from Speyside, plus a lone interloper from Arran.
Dave Broom goes rummaging through some lesser-known distilleries (and Aberfeldy) this week.
Our round-up of Islay Festival bottlings starts with Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila.
A quartet of Glenglassaugh wood finishes, accompanied by two indie-bottled Bunnahabhains.
Gordon & MacPhail’s 1956 Linkwood, plus Tomintoul and an intriguing quartet of blended malts.
North British’s first commercial release, plus whiskies from Arran, Glenfarclas and Linkwood.
Jura’s Time and Tide meet bottlings from Ardmore, Auchroisk, Imperial and Miltonduff.
Blends, malts, and blended malts, including Clynelish, Glengoyne and Compass Box Delilah’s.
Glen Moray, Glen Scotia, Auchroisk, Longrow and Springbank, with some fascinating finishes.
A trip through Islay with Ardbeg's new 19-year-old, a wine-cask Kilchoman and Lagavulin 10.
Three lesser-known Speyside distilleries in the shape of Glen Spey, Speyburn and Strathmill.
Only two distilleries this week: Ardbeg Grooves Committee bottling and the new Jura range.
Dave Broom burns through a smoky Islay quartet, a Sherried Benromach and Wolfburn’s new release.
Aberfeldy’s Madeira finishes, a single cask Springbank, two James Eadies and a 1990 Cù Bòcan.
Dave Broom returns from his hols with new Inchmoans, an old Invergordon and a sessionable Aultmore.
Indie bottlers Cadenhead and Asta Morris duke it out with Tomatin and Writers’ Tears.
Balblair’s age-stated core range plus Glenfiddich Grand Cru and Glenlivet 14 Year Old Cognac Finish.
A round-up of 2019’s official Islay Festival whiskies, including Ardbeg, Bowmore and Octomore.
Dave Broom revisits some of the whiskies he found most intriguing from the first 99 batches.
A 30-year-old Glen Grant and a trio of Longmorns are the film stars of Dave Broom’s tasting notes.
Our editor Becky Paskin takes a journey through time with Balvenie’s DCS Compendium Chapter 3.
Four younger malts compete for Dave Broom’s affections, while he is seduced by a 1972 Tomatin.
Five blended malts and one blend do battle as Dave Broom leaves single malts behind for a week.
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.
The verdict on Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old, and lots of peat: Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ledaig and Croftengea.
A mixed bag including Ballantines’ trio of single malts, The Gauldrons and two from Wemyss.
Two blends, including the latest Johnnie Walker, three Bowmores, three 90-plus scores.
Five rarely seen Speyside malts: Glenburgie, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Miltonduff and Strathmill.
A dark and richly flavoured theme, with Benrinnes, Mortlach, Dailuaine, Highland Park and The E&K.
An Irish special: Green Spot, The Irishman, Jameson, Midleton, Retronaut and Writer’s Tears.
Three grains, three malts: GlenDronach, Aultmore, Carsebridge, North British and Wolfburn.
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.
Tasting Gordon & MacPhail’s new Discovery range, plus maiden releases from Daftmill and Eden Mill.
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.
A quartet of whiskies from Deanston and Tobermory are bolstered by an elder Tomatin and Mortlach.
A sextet of Bruichladdichs come calling this week, including a trio of new Octomores.
A Black Friday special, with malts from Orkney, Campbeltown, Glen Moray and Glentauchers.
BenRiach Sherry Wood and a quintet of Glens, headed by Glengoyne’s latest Teapot Dram.
Dave Broom rounds out the year with a party of Pulteneys and Big Peat’s annual festive bottling.
Glenmorangie Allta, Arbikie rye, Kingsbarns’ first release plus two Cardrona hatchlings.
Two blended malts – Compass Box Juveniles and a 43-year-old Speyside – bookend four indie bottlings.
A quartet of indie-bottled Caol Ilas, a spooky Macduff and Arran's oldest core release yet.
Four Annandale single casks lead a James Eadie Aultmore and acacia-matured Bushmills.
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.
Three fruity, mature old grains, a 1980s Coleburn plus a bold new Benromach.
Wemyss’ latest blended malts meet single casks from BenRiach, GlenDronach and Craigellachie.
From Imperial to Littlemill, Dave Broom loses himself in old drams from indie bottlers.
A trip around the islands sampling Lagavulin 1991, with a stop at Deanston for the new 40-year-old.
The second batch of festival bottlings: Kilchoman, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Charlotte.
Scallywag and Timorous Beastie’s big brothers get a grilling, alongside a host of indie bottlings.
A bevy of Bunnahabhains comes under scrutiny, along with Clynelish and Glenrothes.
It’s all about BenRiach this week, with Temporis 21-year-old, plus five single cask bottlings.
The Speyside distillery is this week’s focus with seven single cask bottlings under the microscope.
A release of six single cask single malts from the Speyside distillery, from 1978 to 1991.
The annual line-up, featuring a handful of rarities alongside a number of old favourites.
Thirteen new single malts from Caperdonich, Longmorn, Glen Keith and Braes of Glenlivet.
Independent bottlings for the Islay Festival, including Bowmore, Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig.
Editor Becky Paskin delivers her verdict on the much-anticipated Game of Thrones single malts.
This year’s series includes single malts from Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Ledaig and Tobermory.
A series of show-stopper Scotch whiskies this week from Compass Box, Glenfarclas and Loch Lomond.
Glenmorangie Bacalta and a first appearance from Murray McDavid, including a 48-year-old Tomintoul.
Island malts from Arran, Jura and Ledaig, plus three grains: Cambus, Invergordon and Strathclyde.
Aberlour, Balvenie, Fettercairn, Girvan, Invergordon and Mortlach – and not an NAS in sight.
Explore the Highlands with these new whiskies from Ardmore, Glen Garioch, Glen Ord and Tomatin.
Dave Broom grapples with grains, including Caledonian, Haig Club Clubman and Port Dundas.
A double hit of BenRiach, then Benromach 1975, Caperdonich, Craigellachie and Inchmurrin bottlings.
A malts tour stopping at Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Dailuaine, Glen Moray, Lochside and Teaninich.
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 selects an eclectic trio of whiskies as his top drams of 2017.
Our editor, Becky Paskin, selects her top three Scotch whiskies tasted in 2015.
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.
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 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.
Moon Import’s revered Costume Series gets an airing in this week’s rare whisky reviews.
Three modern-era ‘legends’ are reviewed, from Balblair, Bunnahabhain and Springbank.
Some well-aged drams from Bruichladdich, Dalmore and Deanston are plucked from the vaults.
Three spirit-driven 1970s single malts from Ardmore, Glen Garioch and Glenlivet.
Three full-bodied 1940s and ‘50s whiskies bottled for the US take Angus MacRaild’s fancy.
A 1940s White Horse bottled for the US joins a rare Aultmore and an ‘austere’ Clynelish.
Three legendary (and rightly so) SMWS bottlings, including the very first from the society.
Exploring more affordable rare whiskies with 1980s Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Longmorn.
An impressive, well-matured 1960s trio of single malts from Jura, Springbank and Tamdhu.
A trio of Islay whiskies, including the oldest Caol Ila ever bottled, deliver high scores.
Tasting three 1970s and 1980s Sherried beauties from Aberlour, Bowmore and Bruichladdich.
A trio of Gordon & MacPhail gems distilled around the time of the Second World War.
Head back in time with a 1960s Glenugie, 1950s Balblair and a rare 1930s Glamis single malt.
Three ‘70s and ‘80s bottlings from cult distilleries Brora, Glenlochy and Glenugie.
Tasting a fascinating ‘70s Aberlour, a historic ‘40s Kilbeggan and a surprising ‘80s Fettercairn.
A trio of early releases from the SMWS, including Glendullan, Glen Esk and Inchmurrin.
Dusting off three rare Signatory bottlings of Craigduff, Kinclaith and Rare Ayrshire/Ladyburn.
Angus MacRaild finds solace in three affordable vatted malts from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
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.
Angus MacRaild argues in favour of Port Ellen’s allure with three extremely rare bottlings.
An early Aberlour bottled for the Italian market, plus ‘ghost’ malts from Brora and Lochside.
Three less heralded whiskies, including single malts from Ardmore, Glendullan and Millburn.
There’s a contemplative air as Dave Broom tastes old Glen Grant, Springbank and Tomatin.
Tripping on fruity old Glenugie, fragrant 1960s Glenlochy and a flabby 1940s blend.
Three old bottlings that demonstrate the variety available in whisky’s back catalogue.
Three accessible old whiskies, including Bruichladdich, Pride of Strathspey and a Reliance blend.
Three more affordable old bottlings: a mysterious malt, a rare Inverleven and a thumping Lagavulin.
Three rare Japanese morsels are examined, but not all of these Eastern drams show promise.
A high-octane tasting of Auld Niblick, Macallan ‘As We Get It’ and MacPhail’s Pure Malt.
From the sublime to the downright disgusting, three rare whiskies from the ’60s and ’70s.
Three blends from the 1920s-50s have Angus MacRaild dreaming of a bygone era.
Three old Glens demonstrate the breadth of styles being made in Speyside in the 1970s.
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
A rare Karuizawa and cult whiskies from Laphroaig and Royal Brackla astonish MacRaild.
Kicking off the New Year with a diverse trio of illustrious Cadenhead Dumpies.
A trio of 1960s and ‘70s Signatory malts from Campeltown, Islay and the Highlands.
A ‘gutsy’ ‘90s Sherried Bowmore, alongside textbook examples of ‘70s Bruichladdich and Caol Ila.
Three more rare Moon Import whiskies from Dalmore, Glen Garioch and North British.
Exploring a Gordon & MacPhail trio of 40% abv whiskies, including two Glens and an Ardbeg.
An elegant post-war Glen Grant, an opinion-dividing ’70s Ledaig and waxy ’60s Tullibardine.
A ‘thrilling’ 1980s Dailuaine joins a ‘60s Bruichladdich and an unusual Caperdonich.
A trio of Islay whiskies from Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Port Ellen impress Angus MacRaild.
A royal pair – Highland Queen and King's Ransom – are attended by a millennium blended malt.
Three 1960s blends take Angus MacRaild from a soapy stupor to waxy, peated pleasure.
A Karuizawa triptych illustrates the enduring excellence of this cult Japanese single malt.
A mixed bag of single malts, regions and styles, including Glenlossie, Jura and Laphroaig.
Angus MacRaild samples a trio of 1970s whiskies from Dallas Dhu, Macallan and Scapa.
The first SMWS bottling of Longrow, plus a lesser-spotted Inchgower and a Tomatin from the 1970s.
Dave Broom gets to know three rare whiskies: a 1990 Ardbeg, 1977 Brora and 1967 Highland Park.
Dave Broom revisits three legendary Port Ellens, but wonders if the liquid is worth the hype.
Three more of Port Ellen’s legendary annual releases, all from 1979, come under the spotlight.
Two Scotch and one Japanese, featuring a 1971 North of Scotland, 1949 Strathisla and 1979 Yamazaki.
A 16-year-old Glenallachie, Glenmorangie Artisan Cask and Hudson’s Bay 1670 Blended Scotch.
Including an aged double act from Islay’s Kildalton coast, plus a venerable Whyte & Mackay blend.
Verdicts on a release from mothballed Convalmore, a cult Bowmore – and a Talisker Oddbins special.
Three cracking whiskies here – if you can find them – from Glenury Royal, Caol Ila and Glen Grant.
Macallan, Springbank and Port Ellen all feature in our latest selection from the whisky vaults.
A rollercoaster ride with a duty free Aberlour, a beautiful Brora and a disappointing Talisker.
A delve into the Islay vaults nets a 1980s Bruichladdich, a recent Bowmore and a quirky Port Ellen.