Islands

Talisker 25 yo 2011 Release

April 13, 2013
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This is much closer to the 10 year old than previous releases. Combined with the lowered bottling strength there is not much of a reason to spend the extra money. – Rating: 83/100

Tobermory 17 yo 1995/2012 Master of Malt

February 17, 2013
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Very spicy but still quite enjoyable, the mouthfeel is coating and a nice sweetness balances the spice. – Rating: 82/100

Arran 16 yo 1996/2012 Master of Malt

February 12, 2013
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Sharp alcohol and rather strong spice hit your palate, the rest of flavours can barely keep up. – Rating: 80/100

Arran Machrie Moor Batch 2

February 1, 2013
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The profile is slightly unusual but not unpleasant, with less smoke on the palate than on the nose. Overall this dram is less ferocious than the packaging suggests. – Rating: 83/100

Arran 2001/2012 Bourbon Cask 808

January 30, 2013
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Quite a shy and secluded whisky overall, a dram for those who like their whisky very subtle. – Rating: 81/100

Arran Orkney Bere 2004/2012

January 26, 2013
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Surprisingly mature for its young age, this is an excellent example how using an ancient barley variety not designed for high yield can shorten maturation time. – Rating: 85/100

Talisker Distillers Edition 2000

January 3, 2013
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The sherry remains rather in the background, only to underline the famous smoky spiciness of the Talisker spirit. Quite different from the fantastic 1999 vintage. Rating: 87/100

Ledaig 6 yo 2005/2012 Blackadder Riverstown

December 18, 2012
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I am fairly immune to sulphur, but this special specimen just hurts my palate. – Rating: 47/100

Jura 1976/2012 Berry Bros.

December 17, 2012

This is a most unusual whisky and it’s truly kaleidoscopic. There are so many flavours that seem to be shifting constantly that a little of it goes a long way. – Rating: 89/100

Arran 12 yo 1999/2012 Single Cask Nation

December 7, 2012
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Not really the aromas you would expect from a pinot noir cask, but this does not devalue this dram at all. Good fruit and nice spice, well balanced and enjoyable. – Rating: 85/100

Highland Park 1989/2010 Murray McDavid

December 2, 2012
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This really is a borderline finish, very sweet, almost too much so, but there is enough spice to prevent it from becoming over the top. – Rating: 86/100

Ledaig 1998/2010 Malts of Scotland

June 7, 2012

Some rather unusual flavours can be found here, this is a whisky with the potential of dividing opinions. But I can’t make up my mind which side to take. – Rating: 83/100

Arran The Eagle

May 24, 2012
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Very mild and gentle, almost timid, it really needs a few drops of water to open up a little. Probably the most delicate dram of the Icons of Arran series. – Rating: 82/100

Highland Park 1994/2012 C&S Dram Collection

May 14, 2012

This dram needs time to develop and a bit but not too much water. Everything is very gentle, not very approachable but quite pleasant after all. – Rating: 81/100

Highland Park 1978/2011 Douglas Laing

May 3, 2012
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It could be a geat whisky, but the adstringent wood tannins are much too strong for my taste. But you will love this dram, if you like that. – Rating: 80/100

Scapa 16 yo

April 18, 2012
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A decent enough standard dram with no real flaws, but palate and finish are a bit on the shy side. – Rating: 78/100

Tobermory 1995/2011 Aberdeen Distillers

April 8, 2012

The nose is actually pretty nice. You may consider to smell on this malt only. – Rating: 74/100

Highland Park 1988/2008 Villa Konthor

March 5, 2012

The peat is hardly noticeable here and overall this malt is on the sweet side. Quite nice but it should have been bottled at cask strength. – Rating: 82/100

Tobermory 15 yo

February 16, 2012
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For a sherry finish this malt is a bit feeble. The overall character is pretty nice but it could benefit from a little more oomph. – Rating: 74/100

Tobermory 10 yo

February 13, 2012
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There is not much to find in this whisky. It is mostly sweet on the palate with a light fruitiness, the nose is disappointing. – Rating: 65/100

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