Caol Ila never disappoints. That is probably why it is my favourite distillery on Islay. The new Port Ellen as far as I am concerned. A bold statement, I know. But whenever a new Caol Ila is released,…

This Strathisla is of a whole other calibre. It matured for no less than four decades and was bottled by Gordon & Macphail in 2007.The nose alone is a feast. Sherry, caramel, roasted almonds and hazel…

About 90% of the production of Strathisla malt whisky goes into the Chivas Brothers blends. This 12 Year Old is one of the few easily obtainable official bottlings. The bottle has a flat shape. The nose…

Gordon & Macphail is the bottelaar with the most Strathisla in its track record. If I remember correctly, this one was poured at one of Bert Bruyneel’s Wee Dram Masters, meaning it can no longer be…

This Gordon & Macphail bottling contains a young Strathisla, both age-wise and distillation year. It has a surprisingly bright color.The nose shows the typical fruitiness of Strathisla, but also has a…

For this Craigellachie (which means Rocky Hill in Gaelic, by the way) I turn to David Stirk and his Creative Whisky Company. This was finished on a Pedro Ximenze cask and is bottled at the exact same ABV…

The Carn Mor Vintage Collection was launched in 2010, comprising of 24 single casks of the same number of malt distilleries. The 200ml bottles are all at 46% ABV. I got to know them during a tasting…

Commitment to Malt is a Dutch whisky club with plenty of members. They often bottle single malts for them (I have tasted a few and even have three of their Auchentoshan in my collection, thanks to my…

For the third Craigellachie, let me seek out A.D. Rattray (formerly known as Dewar Rattray). This one matured for 20 years on a first fill bourbon cask and was bottled at very high strength. Where is my…

David Stewart, the Master Blender at Balvenie, has his own favourite marrying tun. You have guessed it, it is the Tun 1401. In i the married several specially selected casks for about three months to…