Scotch Whisky reviews

Cameronbridge – one of the few grain distilleries in the Highlands – produces mostly for the blenders. J&B, Bell’s, Johnnie Walker, Vat 69, White Horse… they are all customers. But from time to time you…

Cambus is no more. It was founded in 1813 and at one point was the largest in Scotland, but it has been closed for good since 1993. Today there is only a – fully automated – cooperage. Let me try a…

Longrow is the heavily peated version of Springbank. The one I try today is the new 14 year old on refill oloroso. 9.000 bottles were produced. If you want one, it will set you back some 100 EUR.I have…

Tasting it right away, as I write this review. Present of my dear friend Ana, thanks!It pours dark wheat to light amber, slightly hazy. Mid-intensity aroma is cereal fields, dry pine cone, pineapple…

Let’s finish this line-up of Port Ellen samples with this official bottling from the famous Rare Malts Selection (the predecessor of the Diageo Special Releases). It has spent almost as much time in the…

Chieftain’s is, as you are probably aware, is one of the labels by Ian Macleod Distillers – independent bottler and also distillers as they own Tamdhu & Glengoyne and are currently working hard to revive…

You do not often see Port Ellen on sherry. This bottling was released some 12 years ago by Dewar Rattray (A.D. Rattray nowadays) by order of the Belgian importer The Nectar. I presume it was the part of…

In 2009 the Belgian importer The Nectar bottled this Port Ellen. Only 193 bottles were available and obviously those are all gone. Thanks to a Dutch friend, I was able to secure a sample. Oh, lovely nose…

How many whisky festivals have ever bottled a Port Ellen, I wonder. Not many, I presume. But in 2009 the visitors of the Milano Whisky Festival were able to purchase this 26 years old Port Ellen at cask…

In December I tried a Port Ellen for the first time in years. No surprise as it does not cross my path that often and I am not willing to give up my left arm for a bottle. This cult whisky is now so…