Whisky Reviews
Here you'll find honest opinions, thoughtful analysis and the occasional disagreement, because no two palates are quite the same. We review widely, score reluctantly and remain convinced that whisky is far more interesting than the numbers attached to it.
Agreement is optional; curiosity is encouraged.
Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting Blended Malt 17yo
Charlie falls in love with a blended malt. One that he loves so much he’s even tried to make a version of his own at home. With this Cadenhead’s Warehouse special, he’s wondering what’s in the char.
Official vs Indy: Benrinnes
Having never climbed Ben Rinnes, Charlie decides to clamber through three - make that four(ish) - expressions of the Benrinnes spirit to see what it’s all about. Official vs Indy once more!
Official vs Indy: Dalmore
The gateway dram for Charlie was a Dalmore 18 year old. We all start somewhere. In this instalment of his indy vs official series he tackles Dalmore once more. Four of them.
Official vs Indy: Glenlossie
A stranger to Glenlossie until 2025, Charlie uncovered one of Diageo’s ‘blend houses’ in a Cadenhead’s tasting. Typically for him, a pleasant experience and a bottle purchase finds him exploring and comparing.
Cadenhead’s Bunnahabhain Trio
Drummond returns from a short hiatus with an insight into a trait that he’s come to accept; the need to pause and make time for self-care. A trio of Cadenhead’s Bunnahabhain helps of course.
Cadenhead’s Glen Garioch 11yo Fino
Feeling the crunch on his finances, Mason gets introspective. Facing over-accumulation, he naively attempts a slow down and a clear out of languishing bottles & revisits a Cadenhead’s 11yo Garioch.
Cadenhead’s Seven Stars
Broddy exposes everything anyone could want to know about Dramface scoring. In amongst the deep-dive, he shares a hidden gem of a blend, the OSWA nominated Cadenhead’s 7 Stars.
Cadenhead’s Tomatin 18yo
Ainsley had a forced whisky hiatus, but he rekindled his love for music while away. Over a tasty Cadenhead’s Tomatin 18yo, he realises keeping the passion might take a little thought and effort.
Benrinnes 12yo Cadenhead’s
After a positive introduction to Benrinnes through the Flora & Fauna in 2022, Ogilvie heads to his check-box auction haul to explore the distillery further. This time with ex-bourbon and Cadenheads.
Cadenhead’s Ord 19yo Oloroso
Fletcher is certain he doesn’t suffer from FOMO. He doesn’t have floors and shelves covered in bottles and he doesn’t always pick up at least one bottle when out and about. Like this Cadenhead’s Ord he couldn’t pass up.
Indy Ledaig Quintet
Fletcher uses a quintet of quite different, independently released Ledaig expressions to try to fathom how Signatory Vintage arrived at its pricing for a recent Cask Strength 17yo single cask.
Kilkerran Quartet - Bourbon vs Sherry
After something of an unintended hiatus, Drummond figures out it’s just where he’s at - no longer feeling the need to chase. Instead of FOMO, he’s embracing JOMO - and four cracking Kilkerrans.
Four Decades of Glentauchers
After a ‘day-off’ yesterday, due to our AWOL editor, Innes gets us back into things with a study of five different Glentauchers bottlings over four decades, including one that really shouldn’t exist…
Glen Garioch 11yo Amontillado
After we were treated to Dougie’s Campbeltown trips in our feature section, he reviews one of the Cadenhead’s Warehouse bottles he snagged. Yep, it’s a Garioch and he’s in love.
Cadenhead’s Creations
The Dougie Crystal Blend. A meticulous, carefully crafted plan to create the best possible blend, was quickly tossed out the window as the giddiness of eight cask strength bangers took hold.
Glen Garioch 12yo White Port
Dougie remains committed to mining the rich purple seam of Glen Garioch. This time it’s a Cadehead’s 12yo . A 20cl bottle that, on first sip, sends him back for a full 70cl. Maybe two.
Cadenhead’s Caperdonich 20yo
Pragmatism and reflection are the themes as Ainsley happens upon a bargain ghost at auction. Shy at first, he eventually locks this beauty away for as long as possible. Special people only.
Cadenhead’s Seven Stars 30yo
How much would you expect to pay for 30 year old whisky in 2023? Ramsay was pleasantly surprised when it came to this Cadenhead’s value prospect, but he wobbled before opening it… for our pleasure.