There's something enchanting about Fettercairn's 12 year old whisky that has captivated me for as long as I can remember. It's like being drawn to a treasure, akin to Gollum's obsession in Lord of the Rings, albeit in a more wholesome manner! And speaking of magic, the distillery's unusual emblem — an elegant unicorn — proudly emblazoned on the bottle, adds to its allure. It is said to represent purity and strength, which bodes well for the whisky…

With a slight sense of trepidation tinged with a little nostalgia, I uncorked this bottle of Auchentoshan's American Oak whisky — a spirit that had been a steadfast companion during my early forays into the world of whisky. In those days, it was the epitome of convenience and affordability, readily available when options were limited (especially given my budget!). Returning to it now, after many years, I couldn't help but wonder if it would still hold the same allure as it once did.

Balvenie’s whiskies have long been heralded as the gateway to the enchanting world of single malt whisky, captivating enthusiasts with their rich flavours and impeccable craftsmanship. Earlier this year, we delved into the revered Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood, a staple in many whisky collections. Today, we embark on a journey to discover a unique variation of this beloved dram—the "Sweet Toast of American Oak." Despite its tongue-twisting name, this expression marks one of the first creations from the talented Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. Inspired by the desire to enhance Balvenie's naturally sweet whisky, McKechnie opted to finish it in virgin oak barrels sourced from Kentucky.

There's a certain mystique surrounding Clynelish 14 Year Old - a whisky that has always left me feeling torn. On one hand, there's an undeniable allure to its image and bottle design, drawing me in with an irresistible pull. Yet, on the other hand, there's a lingering doubt—a feeling that perhaps this isn't a whisky meant for me, that our tastes may not align. It's a perplexing sensation, one that I struggle to rationalise and articulate. For months, this bottle has sat on my shelf, untouched, as if waiting for the right moment to be uncorked and explored. And now, at long last, that moment has arrived as I embark on this journey to uncover the true essence of Clynelish 14 Year Old.

Nestled in the heart of Speyside, amidst a landscape dominated by renowned distilleries, lies the lesser-known gem of Craigellachie. Surrounded by household names like Glenfiddich and Aberlour, Craigellachie quietly produces a substantial 4 million litres of spirit annually. While most of this liquid finds its way into Dewar’s blends, a precious portion is set aside for their single malt range, of which the 13-year-old expression is the youngest. Embracing an ethos described as "uncompromising, stubborn, and slightly eccentric," Craigellachie sets itself apart with the bold decision to release whiskies aged only in prime numbers — a unique approach that piques curiosity. Let's delve into the depths of this intriguing dram and see if it lives up to its reputation…

Welcome, fellow whisky enthusiasts, to another chapter in the epic journey toward whisky centurion status. Towards the end of 2023 I set out on the quest to become a Whisky Centurion, a journey to sample and savour one hundred distinct whiskies. Around Christmas I completed the initial leg of this journey - the first ten whiskies on my chart. Amongst these was one of my favourite, everyday drams - Aberlour 12 - as well as the, in my opinion over-priced, Macallan 12; all in all a delightful set of whiskies to kick us off. Now, I’ve come to the end of the second row on my chart so below is a summary of the next ten whiskies I’ve tried - there are some beauties in here too!

Bruichladdich's The Classic Laddie stands out as one of the most distinctive and unforgettable bottles in the world of whisky. The striking turquoise bottle, paired with bold, contemporary white font, ensures that it leaves a lasting impression on anyone who encounters it. My return to this whisky was sparked by a recommendation to watch "The Water of Life: A Whisky Film," which delves into Bruichladdich's rise under the stewardship of Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier since their acquisition in 2000. The film peels back the layers of this innovative and pioneering distillery, which set out to be an "antidote to the industry norm." The bottle certainly embodies this ethos—but what about the whisky itself?

Talisker stands as a legendary figure in the realm of Scottish whisky, its heritage intertwined with the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye. Renowned for its distinctive peaty and maritime flavours, Talisker has long captured the hearts of whisky enthusiasts worldwide. This expression, the Talisker Skye, is a non-aged statement whisky made from a selection of young and old whiskies (3-25 years). Let’s find out more about this dram…

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…