Reviews

The Lindores MCDXCIV (1494) is a single malt with no age statement, bottled at a strong 46% vol. and comes from the up-and-coming Lindores Abbey Distillery. The distillery, known for its love of experimentation, uses an interesting combination of cask types for this whisky: Bourbon, sherry and wine barrique casks provide an exciting spectrum of flavours that arouses curiosity.

As part of the release in early May 2024, St. Kilian presented two different single cask bottlings that stand out for their special focus on smokiness and peatiness. For the Turf Tail Distiller’s Cut, only the spirit from a very specific point in the distillation process is used. According to their own statements, it is the last 250 liters of the heart of the second distillation. They say that at this temperature, the smoky character of the single malt develops particularly intensely. Let’s see how we like this exciting and experimental bottling.

The name Timorous Beastie may sound like a shy little mouse, but this whisky has it all. Inspired by Robert Burns' poem “To a Mouse”, this Highland malt is an ode to the Scottish Highlands - but not quite as intimidating as the name might suggest. With 46.8 % vol. and no age statement, it brings quite a bit of character to the table, but is it really a highlight or more of a moody mouse? Let's take a closer look.

The St. Kilian Signature Edition 4 is a German whisky that has already found some fans with its 48% vol. and three-year maturation period. This edition is one of the early signature bottlings from the St. Kilian distillery and proudly bears the white ‘Peat’ label.

When you think of high-quality rye whisky, Germany does not immediately spring to mind. However, The Westfalian Cask 129 impressively proves that excellent whisky with a clear vision can also be produced in this country.

The Finch Distillers Choice Barrique R is made from wheat and barley malt and matured for 8 years in red wine barrique casks. Honoured with the World Whiskies Award in Gold 2024 and the Award Category Winner as the best German whisky in the Wheat Whiskies category, we are excited to see what awaits us.

The Teaninich distillery, not far from Alness in the Highlands, shares its neighbourhood with top-class distilleries such as Dalmore and Glenmorangie - you could almost say it lives in a really posh area. Right next door is Teaninich Castle, which was once renovated by the distillery's founder and now shines as a chic hotel and restaurant.

Track 6: All My Life, named after a 2002 Foo Fighters hit, is the most personal release from independent bottler Turntable Spirits to date. This blend combines whiskies from renowned distilleries like GlenAllachie, Balblair, Benriach, Knockdhu, and North British, reflecting the deep collaboration of the Stevenson brothers with these distilleries. The result is a harmonious, yet multi-layered whisky.

A German whisky with a promising reputation that epitomises the passion for special drops. This 10-years whisky with a Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry finish is 46% vol. So how does this single malt from the Number Nine distillery fare in the world of experienced whisky lovers?

When you think of whisky, complex flavours, rich oak barrel notes and a long, smooth finish often come to mind. Well, the Breizh blended whisky has bypassed all these expectations in a remarkable way.

The Teeling 21 Years – Rising Reserve No. 3 is a Single Malt that stands out due to its long maturation period and exceptional cask selection. It initially aged for 18 years in ex-Bourbon barrels made from American white oak before receiving a three-year finish in Ruby Port casks. It is this finish that sets the whisky apart, adding an unmistakable sweetness and fruitiness to its profile. With an ABV of 46%, this Teeling is a true highlight within the portfolio of the Irish distillery.

The Evermann Wilhelm Single Malt Whisky comes from the renowned Bimmerle Distillery in the Black Forest, Germany. Launched in the summer of 2022, the distillery introduced two distinctive whiskies: the blended whisky "Theo" and the single malt "Wilhelm." Wilhelm represents the traditional Black Forest spirit, focusing on regional craftsmanship and a diverse barrel maturation profile.

The Evermann Theo Blended Whisky hails from the Black Forest region of Germany and is produced by the Bimmerle Private Distillery. Launched in 2022, the Evermann range includes two expressions: Theo, a blended whisky inspired by American styles, and Wilhelm, a more traditional single malt with roots in the Black Forest. The Theo variant is twice distilled in pot stills and matured in a unique combination of four cask types: German oak, acacia, American oak, and ex-bourbon barrels. This diverse cask management imparts a balanced mix of fruitiness, subtle woodiness, and a light spice to the whisky.

The Tomintoul 14 years is a classic single malt whisky from the Speyside region of Scotland, which is a particularly exciting option for beginners. With 46.00% ABV and a maturation period of 14 years in oak casks, this whisky promises an interesting blend of classic Speyside notes and a slight smoky flavour.

The Glen Moray distillery from Speyside has created an interesting cask project with its 2008/2021 - 12 years whisky, which has been matured in rum casks and refined with a cognac finish. This Private Cask Collection, bottled as a single cask with only 498 bottles, is definitely something special.

The Patrisbrunna Peated 2017 is a young, peated whisky from Germany, produced by the Kloster Dalheim Distillery and distributed by the independent bottler Kö13 Paderborn. With only 4 years of maturation in virgin oak casks and an alcohol content of 40%, this whisky offers a profile that should be of particular interest to lovers of straightforward, peaty flavours.

Gingerbread and cinnamon stars are filling the shelves everywhere - the perfect way to get in the mood for the cold season, not only in terms of food but also in terms of whisky. Malts of Scotland has the perfect whisky for this: Glenrothes, bottled exclusively for WHISKY & ART. The artistic label, designed by David Schlierenkämper, shows the Glenrothes distillery and also makes the bottle a small collector's item.

The Teeling Single Pot Still marks an exciting milestone in the history of the Teeling Distillery, which opened its doors in Dublin in 2015. This whiskey is special as it is the first independently produced Single Pot Still whiskey from the distillery. Made from a mix of 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley, it represents Irish whiskey tradition at its finest. Triple-distilled and aged in a combination of fresh white oak, ex-bourbon, and wine casks, it offers a unique array of aromas and flavors. With an ABV of 46% and no age statement, this whiskey delivers a refreshing reinterpretation of the Irish Single Pot Still whiskey.

WillowBurn is part of the prestigious Hercynian Distilling Co. in the heart of the Harz Mountains, Germany. Since its establishment in 1985, Hammerschmiede (also known as the Elsburn Distillery) has been producing unique spirits. The WillowBurn The Distillery Exclusive Cask 1445 is a special bottling, hand-filled on-site, showcasing the craftsmanship of this distillery. A standout feature of this release is that 50% of the malt is smoked not with peat but with wood, giving the whisky a distinctive character.

If you think Lidl is just for the weekly shop, then you haven't tried the Glenalba 25 Year Madeira Finish. This whisky is like a well-aged leather book: full of stories that are yet to be discovered.

The Epicurean Small Batch Release from Douglas Laing's is a classic representative of Lowland whiskies that is suitable for both beginners and experienced connoisseurs. With an alcohol content of 46.20% ABV and no age statement, this whisky is an accessible yet complex companion for any occasion.

The ‘Whesskey - Hessian Corn Whisky - 10 years’ is a real insider tip from Germany, more precisely from the Höhler distillery in Hesse. With a full 64.70 % vol. and without colouring or chill-filtration, this whisky promises not only strength, but also a deep, unadulterated taste experience. Will it live up to the high expectations?

Visiting a distillery usually means taking at least one exclusive bottling from the distillery with you or - if possible - a hand-filled bottle, i.e. a self-filled bottle from a specially designated single cask. The Stauning distillery offers several Distillery Exclusives. We took a look at the ‘Barley’ and the ‘Smoke’.

Visiting a distillery usually means taking at least one exclusive bottling from the distillery with you or - if possible - a hand-filled bottle, i.e. a self-filled bottle from a specially designated single cask. The Stauning distillery offers several Distillery Exclusives. We took a look at the ‘Barley’ and the ‘Smoke’.