Islay

Bowmore 8 yo 2002/2011 L’Esprit

May 15, 2013
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The nose and the first seconds on the palate are really nice but the flavours quickly fade away into a nondescript peaty sweetness. – Rating: 80/100

Lagavulin 12 yo Cask Strength 2011 Release

May 6, 2013
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This is a bit unusual in a way that it feels rather naked compared to the standard releases. It is not particularly complex but smoothness and sippability are outstanding, even undiluted. – Rating: 88/100

Bunnahabhain 6 yo 2005/2012 Riverstown

April 28, 2013
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This uncommon heavily peated Bunnahabhain is also unusually sweet, in fact a bit too sweet for my taste. – Rating: 79/100

Caol Ila 30 yo 1980/2011 Maltbarn

April 19, 2013
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There is an interesting savoury element in this dram, lots going on on the palate, only the finish is a bit timid. – Rating: 87/100

Caol Ila 16 yo 1995/2012 Whisky Doris

April 18, 2013
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More medicinal and “dirty” than your usual Caol Ila, this is an excellent and complex peaty powerhouse. – Rating: 87/100

Bowmore 15 yo 1997/2012 Whisky-Fässle

April 16, 2013
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A rather typical and Bow-moreish dram that is a bit on the peatier side. Especially the palate is quite complex. – Rating: 88/100

Laphroaig 25 yo (Cask Strength Version)

March 23, 2013
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It is amazing how medicinal this old whisky still is. The complexity in this epic dram is enormous. – Rating: 90/100

Bowmore 30 yo Sea Dragon

March 18, 2013
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Some aspects of the palate and especially the nose are truly fantastic, but underneath there is a slight watery feeling that makes me cut a few points. – Rating: 91/100

Bunnahabhain 23 yo 1989/2012 Master of Malt

February 17, 2013
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The sweetness is the first thing you notice in this excellent dram. But then the fruit and liquorice join in. – Rating: 87/100

Bowmore 15 yo Laimrig

February 17, 2013

Rich fruity sherry flavours enter a fruitful symbisois with the trademark Bowmore mild peat. Essentially this is a cask strength version of the Darkest. – Rating: 87/100

Bunnahabhain Toiteach

February 1, 2013
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Simply a nice peated daily dram, nothing stands out here. – Rating: 83/100

Bowmore Batch 1 – That Boutique-y Whisky Company

January 30, 2013
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A slight herbalness joins dry peat in this Bowmore that also shows nicely balanced fruity notes. – Rating: 85/100

Bunnahabhain 38 yo 1973/2012 Wilson & Morgan

January 11, 2013
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Not your typical oloroso cask here… The nose is superb, but the ABV has come down to a level that gives it a sightly watery mouthfeel. Surprisingly litte wood influence. – Rating: 87/100

Wemyss Bunnahabhain 15 yo “Driftwood”

January 4, 2013
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Despite the rather strong peat the underlying flavours are rather subtle, the nose has a nice freshness. This feels a bit younger than it actually is. – Rating: 84/100

Bunnahabhain 35 yo 1976/2012 Whisky Doris

January 2, 2013
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The wood has begun to take over here, but it still is a very fine dram. The finish is a bit on the short side, though. – Rating: 88/100

Kilchoman 4 yo 2007/2012 Single Cask Nation

December 11, 2012
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Crisp and clean with quite an amazing depth of flavours for such a young whisky. They know how to make good whisky on the Rhinns, and the bottlers know how to select good casks. – Rating: 87/100

Bunnahabhain 1989/2012 Berry Bros.

November 27, 2012

A dram that needs a little time and attention, but the patience is rewarded with delicate and lovely flavours. – Rating: 87/100

Laphroaig PX Cask

November 14, 2012
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The (mild) PX sweetness makes this an interesting variation on the Quarter Cask. It is well worth a try although it shows a little less complexity. – Rating: 87/100

Caol Ila 19 yo The Whisky Exchange

November 4, 2012
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Dry and crisp, it feels younger than it actually is. This dram demonstrates how Caol Ila can be bold and elgegant at the same time. – Rating: 88/100

Elements of Islay Pl1

October 19, 2012
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An uncompromising, almost brutal phenolic attack on your tastebuds, but it is not simply a peat monster, it has complex layers of flavours. – Rating: 90/100

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