Benrinnes 2001 “Rhubarb Royale”, 13 YO, 46 % The independent bottler Wemyss Malts keep releasing single cask whiskies at an impressive tempo. Here is another of their latest releases, launched in mars 2015. The Benrinnes 2001 “Rhubarb Royale” was matured in an unspecified hogshead. Distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2014. The total outturn was […]...

I have a sweet spot for old Ben Nevis , so I was very curious about the Whiskybroker ’s latest offering. It’s a vatting of six underproof hogsheads, all filled at Ben Nevis on 15th mars 1966 and bottled 10th of april 2015, with just 29,5% of alcohol. Therefore it’s not whisky but a ‘Spirit of the Highlands’.

Ben Nevis 49 yo 1966 (29,5%, WhiskyBroker 2015, 524 btl.)

Nose: interesting. Very oaked, with some hints of paint thinner, glue and the characteristic waxiness, like lipstick. Some floral notes, hints of facial creams as well (vetiver). It reminds me of...

This Bruichladdich 1966 is an original bottling from the early 1980’s, selected by the Italian distributor Moon Import . The name Riserva Veronelli refers to Luigi Veronelli, a highly influential gastronomic writer (mostly for wines but also distilled spirits) and one of the Italian pioneers when it comes to single Maltwhisky.

A few years later there was also a Bruichladdich 1965 ‘Riserva Veronelli’ imported by Rinaldi. That one is easier to come by but it’s said to be less interesting.

Bruichladdich 1966 (53,5%, OB ‘Riserva Veronelli’ 1983, Moon Import, sherry wood, 2400 btl.)

Nose: old-style sherry although...

Audny Series 2 Single Cask, 3 YO, 46 % This is the second release of the first Norwegian single Maltwhisky. We have previously reviewed Series 1. This whisky was released by Agder Brenneri, but since then the distillery has changed name to Det Norske Brenneri. Audny Series 2 Single Cask was distilled in 2009 […]...

SMWS 66.45 An inspired menu, 9 YO, 61,6 % Last Saturday I gave you my tasting notes on a Bladnoch from the independent bottler SMWS (Scotch Maltwhisky Society). Still at The Bon Accord in Glasgow I got a chance to taste this lovely dram. Today the time has come for distillery 66; Ardmore. This […]...

Nine people were indicted in Franklin County today for stealing more than $100,000 worth of bourbon from the Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey distilleries. The press conference announcing the indictment felt like a scene straight out of “Justified.” Bottles of Pappy Van Winkle, jugs of bourbon, and several containers, including a stainless steel barrel, surrounded the Franklin County Sheriff’s podium. All that was missing was a few rifles and a couple silencers. But as you will read, there were guns and silencers. They just didn’t bring them out for the press.

Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton called the theft an...

Tamdhu Batch Strength is the latest high-strength addition to the core range, which complements the existing Tamdhu 10 Year Old . It was matured in a combination of American and European oak sherry casks (a large proportion being first-fill) and bottled at a generous 58,8% alcohol.

Tamdhu Batch Strength (58,8%, OB 2015, Batch #001)

Nose: folds open nicely. Juicy fruits (red apples, sultanas and berries) and lots of nutty notes (hazelnuts and walnuts). Rose pepper. Malty sweetness and a whiff of vanilla. Finish: rich and sweet, but increasingly peppery and spiced. Cinnamon buns and vanilla cake. Oranges and...

Yamazaki 12 Year Old is a small step up from the 10yo which used to be the youngest expression in the core range of this pioneering Japanese distillery, until they launched a no-age Distiller’s Reserve last year.

Back in 1984, when this 12yo first hit the market, it was actually the first truly commercial Japanese whisky. Look where they are today…

Yamazaki 12 yo (43%, OB 2013)

Nose: starts oily, even quite dusty. Malty and grainy core that slowly grows fruitier. Peach and apple with light vanilla. Dried flowers and hay. A faint minty edge too. Mouth: relatively thick...

Bunnahabhain Eirigh Na Greine, NAS, 46,3 % This is the new Travel Retail offering from the Islay distillery Bunnahabhain. This is apparently the replacement for Darach Ur (more on that whisky here). The distillery presents this way with these words: Eirigh Na Greine (pronounced Ae-ree ne gray-nyuh and meaning ‘Morning Sky’ in Gaelic) is an alluringly complex […]...

Glenrothes 1993 “Kumquat Cluster”, 21 YO, 46 % It is not very often that we come across independent bottlings of Glenrothes. But here we have one of those, from independent bottler Wemyss Malts. The Glenrothes 1993 “Kumquat Cluster” was distilled in 1993, matured in a sherry butt, and ultimately bottled in 2014. The total outturn […]...

A Linkwood 1987 , bottled by The Whisky Agency in oktober 2014. Reviews are rare, so it’s still available in stores.

Linkwood 27 yo 1987 (47,3%, The Whisky Agency ‘Perfect Dram’ 2014, rum finish, 179 btl.)

Nose: holding the middle between mildly fruity notes (overripe apple and banana) and grassy notes (hay, wet leaves). Dried herbs and a slight mustiness. Eucalyptus tea. Light pepper. Mouth: again mildly fruity (melon, apple) with herbal honey and different kinds of tea. A bit of salted caramel. Eucalyptus again, a little ginger as well, bringing a gentle bitterness. Finish: long, even more...

Laphroaig 15 YO 200th Anniversary, 43 % Laphroaig Distillery on Islay is celebrating its 200th Anniversary this year. This will of course be celebrated with a number of special releases. The Laphroaig 15 YO 200th Anniversary is the first of these releases. So far, what we know will be released throughout the year is the […]...

SMWS 50.52 Tales of the River-bank, 23 YO, 53,1 % We have reviewed a quite a few of the whiskies from the independent bottler SMWS here on Whisky Saga. This independent bottler sure knows how to pick the right casks, most of the time I think. Scotch Maltwhisky Society (SMWS) uses numbers instead of the […]...