Tasting Mat 3

Tasting Mat 3

Welcome to the latest round up of new releases. On the table today we have new whiskies from both Laphroaig and Ardbeg as well as the first cask strength release from BenRiach. Completing the set is one of my favourite drams of the year; the ICE release from Highland Park. Laphroaig Lore [48%] I applaud Laphroaig for this release – it is certainly very interesting – but I can’t help but wonder what it would…

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Reviews, Whisky
Lagavulin Distillery

Lagavulin 8YO – 200th Anniversary Edition [48%]

by  in Reviews, Whisky
It’s been a good couple of years for anniversaries along the Kildalton coast of Islay with two celebrated last year, while 2016 sees Lagavulin join the party. Lagavulin, the word rolls off the tongue and just conjures this expectation, this anticipation that you’re about to sample something special. This distillery holds a soft spot in my heart; when I visited Islay in 2010 Lagavulin was the first distillery I went to, the first tour I…
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Reviews, Tasting, Whisky

Tasting Mat 2

by  in Reviews, Tasting, Whisky
It is time to review the latest round of whisky releases so welcome to our second tasting mat. On the table today we have a diverse selection of drams. We start with a new release from Speciality Drinks – an Islay blend called ‘Peat’ before we move on to a dark brooding SMWS Ardbeg. Finally we encounter two spirits from Gordon & MacPhail, a 1991 Speyburn and a majestic 1954 Glen Grant. Enjoy. Peat [Speciality Drinks] 59.3%…
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Reviews

Octomore 07.4 Virgin Oak [61.2%]

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A quick count up reveals that I’ve now been fortunate enough to try 4 different versions of Octomore Virgin Oak. It is a thrill though to now finally try the official distillery release; a seven year old spirit bottled at an almighty 61.2%. I first tasted Octomore Virgin Oak with Jim in his office. He offered Mike and myself a taste of a spirit, and commented that he could guess what our response would be…
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Reviews, Whisky

Tasting Mat 1

by  in Reviews, Whisky
On the tasting mat this time we have a great blend from Suntory, some crackers from Bartels Whisky (who bottle whisky under their own Highland Laird label and sell the Malts of Scotland brand) and some wonderful new whiskies from The Whisky Exchange. Enjoy!
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Personal

Nepal. April 25.

by  in Personal
This may be my whisky blog, but the events of April 25 are so memorable that I needed an outlet to post my thoughts. So, in an unusual post here’s what happened while I was in Kathmandu in the days following a magnificent trip to Everest Base Camp. Checkout was midday, so just about on time the three of us made our way down to reception to pay and to sort out leaving our bags…
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Reviews, Tasting
Special Releases 2015

Diageo Special Releases 2015

by  in Reviews, Tasting
The Diageo Special Releases launch is always the best event in the calendar. It presents a fabulous opportunity to try some unique, and frankly, very special whiskies from the Diageo stocks. The class of 2015 is superb. It contains all of the usual suspects and mixes in some of the lesser know distilleries in the portfolio. Read on and enjoy some of the finest whiskies of 2015.