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.
Benromach 12yo
Wally yearns for the 1990s. He thinks whisky was better and living was easier. But there are some glimmers of hope for our futures, in whisky at least. He counts this new Benromach 12yo as one of them.
The Cairn First Peek 3yo
Wally is surprised to see a release form The Cairn so soon. That it’s also only 1,000 bottles and only £50 for 57% ABV, he can’t help but pick it up. It makes him think about time, fairness and also Dramface.
Benromach Contrasts High Enzyme
With Benromach’s latest Contrasts highlighting how high enzyme grain might affect the end product, Hamish considers how far whisky makers can push the envelope under todays regs.
Strathisla 40yo
Wally finally cracks open a bottle that’s been around for so long it became a burden of anxiety. Now that it’s open; how’s he feeling about having a 40yo Strathisla on the shelf?
Benromach Organic Old vs New
Pitching two Benromach Organic releases against each other, one bottled in 2014 the other distilled in 2014, gives Broddy an opportunity to compare and contrast, and take stock of time.
Tormore 20yo
Visiting a brick-and-mortar whisky shop, with best intentions, Broddy tries to use up some time while not using up any money. He fails and blows a fortune, but uncovers an absolute banger.
Benromach Peat Smoke Bourbon vs Sherry
A collab is required as Broddy and Drummond both review what we believe to be some of the best value all-natural whiskies about right now. Benromach Peat smoke time.
Benromach Cask Strength 2013
Do the right thing, by all means. Support, don’t judge. Because sometimes being a patient spendthrift, far away from a whisky shop, still uncovers things to reassure you that good stuff is still out there.
Benromach Bourdeaux 12yo
Drummond dives into another solid Benromach, this time in the Contrasts Series range with their Double Matured Bordeaux. With it, he reaffirms that age isn't everything and even though it is not quite a hole-in-one, its still a worthy addition to the Benromach shelf.
Ardmore 20yo & Glentauchers 14yo
In response to the recent news that Gordon & Macphail will stop filling casks and bottling independently, Broddy picks up a couple of local G&M Distillery Labels series finds and cracks them in mild contemplation of what this significant news holds for malt whisky’s future.
Benromach First Fill Sherry
Seeing too many shiny things at once is too much for Wally. Visiting his favourite spot to buy too many whiskies, he snags a UK exclusive Benromach with the prettiest of hues, only to wish he’d stuck to his original mission.
G&M Connoisseur’s Choice Quartet
Paying tribute to one of scotch whisky’s original indie bottlers, the consistent Gordon & MacPhail, Broddy uncovers four bangers and attempts to explain why he thinks that’s so easily possible.
Highland Park 13yo & Cask Deep-dive
Very good whisky, and a huge Tyree deep-dive into cask influence
Gordon & MacPhail Dailuaine 1963 18yo
From the days when whisky was as uncool as can be, comes a textbook example of old-school supremacy.
