12yo

Port Askaig 12 yo

February 25, 2013
Thumbnail image for Port Askaig 12 yo

There is an element of dirtiness in this whisky that adds a wickedly intriguing dimension. The spices in this are delightful. – Rating: 87/100

Benrinnes “Stronachie” 12 yo Batch 02/12

January 6, 2013
Thumbnail image for Benrinnes “Stronachie” 12 yo Batch 02/12

There are some quite nice flavours in this dram, but palate and finish are a bit too weak to really convince me. – Rating: 80/100

Blair Athol 12 yo 1998/2011 Single Cask Collection

January 6, 2013
Thumbnail image for Blair Athol 12 yo 1998/2011 Single Cask Collection

Don’t be fooled by the pale colour, this is a very flavourful dram. It needs a little time to open up but it is a lovely whisky. – Rating: 85/100

Glengoyne 12 yo

January 1, 2013
Thumbnail image for Glengoyne 12 yo

Despite being 12 years old, this dram feels a bit immature to me, the taste profile is not unpleasant but rather generic. – Rating: 72/100

Arran 12 yo 1999/2012 Single Cask Nation

December 7, 2012
Thumbnail image for Arran 12 yo 1999/2012 Single Cask Nation

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

Connemara 12 yo

September 16, 2012
Thumbnail image for Connemara 12 yo

The ‘old’ Connemara has a distinctive sweet fruitiness not found in the NAS expressions Another unique dram from Cooley. – Rating: 85/100

Powers John’s Lane 12 yo

September 14, 2012
Thumbnail image for Powers John’s Lane 12 yo

Less fruity than I expected from a pot still whiskey, it is rather delicate and light bodied but shows quite a bit of wood spice and driness. A very enjoyable Irish alternative. – Rating: 84/100

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 yo

September 12, 2012
Thumbnail image for Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 yo

This is a big bold bourbon that does not hide its age. The other flavours are potent enough to keep the strong wood notes in check.
– Rating: 87/100

Glenfarclas 12 yo

September 9, 2012
Thumbnail image for Glenfarclas 12 yo

A wonderfully rich sherried malt that combines youthful freshness with maturity. – Rating: 86/100

Tomintoul 12 yo Oloroso Sherry Finish

September 1, 2012
Thumbnail image for Tomintoul 12 yo Oloroso Sherry Finish

The label doesn’t lie: it is a gentle dram, not a smack into your face, a well-behaved fruity malt for easy sipping. – Rating: 81/100

Glenlivet 12 yo Unblended All Malt

August 26, 2012
Thumbnail image for Glenlivet 12 yo Unblended All Malt

Very dense flavours here that are difficult to dissect. This is rather different from today’s 12 yo, much drier and a little less fruity. Very good stuff. – Rating: 86/100

Glenfiddich Millennium Vintage

August 12, 2012
Thumbnail image for Glenfiddich Millennium Vintage

Very delightful on the nose, the palate suffers a bit from the low bottling strength. It certainly is a step up from the regular 12 yo, though. – Rating: 81/100

Knockando 1996 Managers’ Choice

June 24, 2012
Thumbnail image for Knockando 1996 Managers’ Choice

An unusual Knockando sherry monster from a very active cask. There is lots going on here, but the wood is already too strong to make this a truly great one. – 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

Hakushu 1998/2011 Whisky Shop W 1st Anniversary

June 5, 2012

This whisky is extremely shy to reveal its flavours, everything is very mild and subtle. This is the perfect dram for you, if you like hunting down aromas. – Rating: 84/100

Hakushu 12 yo

June 5, 2012
Thumbnail image for Hakushu 12 yo

Again the Japanese prove their talent to create perfectly balanced malts with delicate yet impressive flavours. The gentle smokiness adds an intriguing dimension. – Rating: 87/100

Caol Ila Unpeated 12 yo

May 27, 2012
Thumbnail image for Caol Ila Unpeated 12 yo

It may be made from unpeated malt, but there is still a hint of smoke carried over from the regular peated mashes. This creates a fascinating mix of flavours in this spicy dram. – Rating: 86/100

Benriach 12 yo Sherry Wood

May 12, 2012

This sherried whisky is a bit on the dry side which adds an interesting dimension to the fruity base spirit. – Rating: 85/100

Glendronach 12 yo Original

May 8, 2012
Thumbnail image for Glendronach 12 yo Original

Quite a nice combination of flavours, but the mouthfeel is slightly watery. Still a pretty good daily dram. – Rating: 82/100

Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey Release III 1999/2011

May 4, 2012
Thumbnail image for Charbay Hop Flavored Whiskey Release III 1999/2011

I could nose this forever. The beer provenance is very noticeable on the palate, the density of flavours is stunning. But Distilling bottle-ready beer makes this whiskey hideously expensive. – Rating: 91/100