Reviews

Bud Spencer embodies unyielding justice and uncompromising boldness—traits that resonate in the smoky edition of "The Legend," a German single malt whisky crafted by St. Kilian Distillery. Aged in Italian Amarone red wine casks and ex-bourbon barrels, this whisky combines the robust character of Scottish malt (80 ppm smoke) with youthful freshness. Does it live up to Bud Spencer's legendary name?

„Sie nannten ihn Spencer – Unpeated“ from the St. Kilian Distillery is more than just a whisky – it’s a tribute to the unforgettable film legend Bud Spencer. Aged in ex-Marsala Ambra fortified wine casks, this three-years single malt with 59.1% ABV offers an intense, multi-layered experience. Its label in Braille reflects the special attention to detail and highlights the unique character of this whisky.

The Knockdhu Distillery, home of anCnoc whisky, is located in Scotland’s Speyside region. Since its founding in 1894, it has combined traditional craftsmanship with a modern approach. Known for its versatile range of releases, the portfolio includes everything from fresh, citrus-driven malts to more robust, wood-forward whiskies. The anCnoc 18 Years stands among the more mature expressions, promising a complex yet approachable tasting experience.

The Ben Nevis Distillery has long been a hot tip among connoisseurs when it comes to Highland whiskies with a strong character. With the Ben Nevis 10 years 2014/2024, independent bottler James Eadie presents us with a real sherry bomb - at 58.9% ABV. A whisky that not only impresses with its strength, but also offers subtle nuances. Will it deliver what the key figures promise?

For whisky lovers looking for an easily accessible yet exciting bottling, the Teaninich 11 Years Malaga Cask Finish from James Eadie offers a successful overall package. This Highland whisky is a harmonious combination of fruity and creamy notes, which are given an exciting twist by the special finish in Malaga casks.

St. George’s Distillery in Norfolk demonstrates the potential of English whisky with Infinity Cask Batch 3. This distillery-exclusive, single cask whisky is unique, non age stated, and bottled at 48.7% ABV. Its philosophy of continuously topping up the cask with whisky from different cask types promises a layered and intriguing tasting experience.

You don't see Dailuaine bottlings that often. So we are all the more delighted to once again have a dram from this distillery in our glass. The single malt matured for around 10 years in a bourbon hogshead was bottled, as always unfiltered and uncoloured, in 2022 by Malts of Scotland as a Corona Edition.

With the Elsburn The Journey 2020, the Hammerschmiede distillery in Germany has launched an interesting and unique bottling on the market. This single malt has no age statement and is bottled with an alcohol content of 43% vol. But how does this whisky perform in terms of flavour, aroma and drinking pleasure?

The Ardmore 2008 from Signatory Vintage is a Highland whisky which, with its 13 years of maturation, impressively demonstrates how complex and exciting the smoky whiskies from the Ardmore distillery can be.

The Glenfiddich Reserve Cask is another whisky from the famous Speyside distillery that fits perfectly into the line of Glenfiddich's Cask Collection. With 40 % vol. and no age statement, this single malt is clearly aimed at the masses. It is a whisky that was made for many occasions, but can it also score points with more discerning connoisseurs? A look at the details shows that this whisky is one thing above all: accessible.

When a whisky spends almost three decades in a cask, the anticipation builds up almost as intensely as the flavours in the wood. The Glenturret 29 Years 1987/2017, bottled by Cadenhead's, comes along quietly at 42.1 % vol. - but what is hidden behind this inconspicuous facade?

The Glenfiddich Select Cask brings with it exciting promises: an exclusive maturation in European, Bourbon and red wine casks. This cask selection is intended to give the whisky a rich, versatile range of flavours and is part of the Glenfiddich Cask Collection. With its 40 % vol. and the typical charm of a Speyside whisky, it is aimed primarily at beginners and lovers of soft, accessible whiskies. But does the Select Cask live up to its promise?

The Betz distillery from Germany is known for its creative experiments - and the Jamaica Rum Cask Batch 1 is definitely one of them. With an ABV of 51.00 %, this whisky with an age statement of 5 years is a strong calibre that whets the appetite for Caribbean flavours right from the name. But does the whisky deliver what the rum cask promises? Well, let's put it this way: it's unforgettable. Unfortunately.

When a whisky comes from the Speyside region and has an impressive 60.1% vol., the expectations are clear: intensity, complexity and a touch of adventure. This is exactly what the Alistair Walker Whisky Company delivers with its bottling of Allt-a-Bhainne 2005 from the ‘Infrequent Flyers’ series. But how does this 17-years drop really perform in the glass?

If whisky bottles could talk, the Royal Brackla 10 years from James Eadie would probably whisper in a charming Highland accent: ‘Try me, you won't regret it!’.

When you taste a whisky from Islay, you expect a smoky, maritime explosion - and that's exactly what the Caol Ila 9 Years 2015/2024 from James Eadie delivers, with an enormous elegance that inspires. This distillate takes us on a journey to the wild coasts of Islay.

The Scottish Speyside is known for its diverse and complex whiskies, but the Craigellachie 2013/2024 Margaux Cask sets new standards. This exclusive bottling from the independent bottler Berry Bros & Rudd combines the striking characteristics of the Craigellachie Distillery with the sophistication of a Margaux cask.

The Single Malt Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast Edition 2022 from the renowned Miyagikyo Distillery in Japan brings an extraordinary nuance to the world of Japanese whisky. Developed with a specialised research team and special attention to the fermentation process, this whisky is characterised by the use of a special yeast and a longer fermentation - a process that is intended to create exciting flavours.

Nikka The Grain Whisky was an exciting new release from Japan that is making whisky fans around the world sit up and take notice. This experimental special edition, which was launched in 2023, is a blend of seven different whiskies and, at 48% ABV, offers a powerful yet smooth flavour journey.

Anyone wanting to enter the world of Japanese whisky should have the Yoichi single malt on their list. The Yoichi Distillery on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, produces this whisky using a particularly exciting technique: it is still distilled in the traditional way, directly over a coal fire! This not only gives the Yoichi single malt its unmistakable character, but also a certain ‘campfire’ flavour - with a moderate smoke content of around 15 ppm.

The Four Roses Single Barrel is a bourbon that presents whisky lovers with an interesting challenge. With no age statement, but matured for at least seven years in freshly charred American oak barrels, this whisky has a remarkable depth. With an alcohol content of 50% by volume, it immediately shows that it is aimed more at connoisseurs who prefer stronger, spicier bourbon notes.

The Glen Moray 19 Years from Malts of Scotland is a drop that falls into the category of intense single malts with its 54.8% vol. Matured in a sherry hogshead from 1998 to 2017, this whisky promises a multi-faceted experience. We are excited!

An unusual whisky is born near the traditional Scheibel Mühle, an old grain warehouse in the heart of the Black Forest: Emill Kraftwerk. This German whisky with no age statement comes from a small distillery that boldly ventures into unusual flavours and a strong bottling of 58.7 % vol. For newcomers to the world of whisky, this drop gives an insight into the experimental side of German distilleries.

The Glenlivet distillery engages in a fierce battle year after year with Glenfiddich for the crown of the best-selling Single Malt Scotch. Especially in the USA, The Glenlivet enjoys extremely high popularity. The distillery in Scotland's Speyside region is owned by Pernod Ricard and is therefore also included in their blend products such as Chivas Regal. Today, we have the Glenlivet 12 - arguably the most prolific bottling from the core range - in our glass.