GlenAllachie emerges as a beacon of innovation among the new breed of distilleries, marrying forward-thinking approaches with decades of expertise. Acquired in 2017 by master distiller Billy Walker and his partners, GlenAllachie embarked on a transformative journey, transitioning from a producer primarily catering to blends to establishing its own distinguished core range of whiskies. At the heart of this evolution lies the GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old, a cornerstone expression that has propelled the distillery to newfound heights of success…

As it stands today, in early 2024, only 15% of Scottish distilleries are independently owned. Whilst this may not sound that bad, all of those distilleries have been founded since the turn of the millennium. Nearly 70% of the Scotland’s distilleries are owned by international companies, the largest of which is Diageo - the British multinational alcoholic drinks company. in this post we’ll dig a bit more into Diageo’s background and influence on the Scottish whisky industry…

In the serene landscapes of Elgin, where childhood memories linger like whispers on the wind, lies the Glen Elgin distillery—a hidden gem in the heart of Speyside. Growing up in this quaint town, I often found solace in the tranquility of Millbuies Country Park, just a stone's throw away from this lesser-known distillery. Today, I invite you to join me on a journey down memory lane as we uncork a bottle of Glen Elgin 12 Year Old and rediscover the essence of home…

Welcome, whisky enthusiasts, to the heartland of the Scottish whisky industry—the realm of twelve-year-old whiskies. While legally, whisky must age for a minimum of three years, it's the twelve-year mark that truly embodies the pinnacle of maturity and flavour development. This age bracket represents a sweet spot where complexity meets affordability, making it a favourite among connoisseurs and novices alike…

Welcome, fellow Whisky Centurions, to another stop on my adventure through whiskies. Today, we're delving into the Glen Grant 12, a single malt that sits in the heart of the most competitive section of Scottish whiskies, 12 year old expressions. Most of these whiskies (and there are a lot!) are priced in the £30-£50 region, although this range is creeping up faster than I’d like at the moment. The Glen Grant 12 year old is towards the top end of this range at around £44 but certainly not the most expensive 12 year old out there. Let’s see if the whisky itself lets the expression shine in this crowded category…

Last week I opened, tasted and posted my review of a bottle of Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold. Having previously shared my initial thoughts on the whisky, I was intrigued by the suggestion to try it straight from the freezer. Skeptical yet curious, I decided to give it a shot, challenging my preconceived notions about the "recommended" way to enjoy this renowned spirit…

One of my favourite distillery adventures was to Dalwhinnie, many years ago. This small town in the heart of the Highlands, is the highest distillery in Scotland, where it experiences some of Scotlands most harsh weather. My own experience was walking four miles in driving rain to get to the distillery, only to find we were too late for the tour. We did, however, manage the tasting with chocolates which was incredible and a habit I have stuck to since!

Whisky, the amber nectar, undergoes a meticulous journey from grain to glass, with each step influencing its character. One step in this process, often maligned by whisky drinkers, is chill filtration. In this exploration, we delve into the intricacies of chill filtration, its impact on whisky, and the age-old debate on whether we should care about the process or not…

In the realm of single malt Scotch whiskies, Glenkinchie 12 stands as a beacon of sophistication, capturing the essence of the Lowland style. This, Diageo-owned, distillery is based just outside Edinburgh and the whisky itself is distilled in some of Scotland’s largest stills giving it a lovely, light character. Diageo market this as an apperatif or pre-dinner dram but frankly I’d happily drink it any time!

In the world of whisky accessories, few items carry the timeless appeal and classic charm of a well-crafted hip flask. A perfect blend of form and function, the Wingback 100ml Black Steel Hip Flask stands out as a symbol of sophistication and style. In this review, we delve into the details of this compact yet striking accessory, exploring its design, materials, and overall performance…

The Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood gets its name from the, now commonly used, process of ‘wood finishing’. This technique was pioneered by one of Balvenie’s former Malt Master in 1980s and is something the distillery has been perfecting for a number of decades. They are, obviously, by no means the only distillery using this technique but as you’ll find out below, they may well be doing it better than the others…

All of Scotland’s 142* distilleries are organised into one of five traditional whisky producing regions - Highlands, Speyside, Islay, Lowlands and Campbeltown. But what do these regions mean and are they useful? The regions group all of Scotlands distilleries by geography and historically meant that flavour profiles could be expected to be similar within each region due to similar processes and use of local barley. Let’s find out more…

For our next stop on this adventure through the world of whisky, we set our sights on Tomatin 12. A Highland single malt from a distillery that has spent much of its history providing whisky for blends. Only relatively recently (since around 2000) has the distillery switched some of its focus to growing its single malts such as this one…

As the holiday season unfolded from Black Friday to the arrival of the New Year, enticing offers and exclusive deals beckoned from the shelves of whisky retailers. Succumbing to the allure of discounts, I found myself acquiring more than a few coveted bottles during this festive period. Yet, this spree sparked a pondering question: Amidst the plethora of online options, where does one find the best value when purchasing whisky in the UK?

I recently had the pleasure of savouring the Tobermory 12 year old expression (in fact it was a Christmas present to myself!). It is an enchanting Island single malt, from the Isle of Mull, that captivated my senses with its intricate layers and distinctive character…

I recently set out on the quest to become a Whisky Centurion, a journey to sample and savour one hundred distinct whiskies. Now the first leg of this flavourful journey is complete and it has been nothing short of enchanting…

For those familiar with my whisky journey, you’ll know that the Aberlour distillery holds a special place in my heart. It was here that my love affair with whisky began, and the diverse selection of their expressions continues to captivate my palate to this day. Among their offerings is the Casg Annamh series, a collection with each batch uniquely branded, aptly named 'Rare Cask' in Gaelic. Straying from the convention of age statements, Casg Annamh is meticulously crafted in limited quantities, deriving its richness from a medley of Oloroso Sherry casks

Indulging in the decadence of miniature chocolate bottles brimming with whisky is a delightful way to usher in the festive cheer, and Anthon Berg's Single Malt Chocolates have undoubtedly become my year-round treat…

Nestled along the banks of the River Dee in the picturesque Highlands, the Royal Lochnagar distillery holds the title of the smallest distillery (by production volume) in Diageo’s extensive portfolio. Situated just a stone’s throw away from Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the Royal Family, Royal Lochnagar has a rich heritage dating back to the 1840s. Its proximity to Balmoral made it the favoured whisky of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, earning the distillery its regal moniker…

If you enjoy peated whisky is there a better place to start than the classic ten year old from Ardbeg? Personally I prefer unpeated whisky but there is so much to love about this whisky from the south coast of Islay. The Ardbeg distillery shares just two miles of this coastline with the Lagavulin and Laphroaig distilleries and stands as one of these three peat powerhouses renowned around the world…