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Octomore - the name is legendary. A synonym for peaty-smoky excesses and at the same time proof that smoke is not just smoke. Year after year, fans wait for new bottlings, experiments with cask maturation, ageing and intense phenol power.
Nc'Nean is a young distillery from the Scottish Highlands that is known for its sustainable and modern approach. But what happens when an independent bottler like Best Dram takes the distillate and puts it in an STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) cask?
Sometimes you come across a whisky that makes you wonder: ‘Why exactly was this bottled?’ The Glen Elgin 2008/2020 from Zanzibar is such a case. With a whopping 58.7% ABV, it comes across as a powerhouse - but unfortunately there is little substance behind the impressive figure.
Ledaig - the smoky, wild brother of the Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull.Anyone who knows Ledaig knows that there are no half measures here.The whisky is often intense, maritime and dirty - a kind of Islay alternative with its very own twist. The Ledaig 2005/2022 from Signatory Vintage takes this to the extreme.16 years of maturation and a stable 66.1% ABV - this is no gentle introduction to the world of peated whisky, but a real monster.The question is: does it deliver what the figures promise?
The Craigellachie Distillery is known for its strong, malty whiskies with plenty of structure and character. But in the hands of the independent bottler Signatory Vintage, it often becomes even more intense. At 67.4% ABV, this is a whisky that challenges connoisseurs, but also rewards them - with intense sherry flavours, dark fruits and impressive depth.
The Glenallachie Distillery is located in the Speyside region of Scotland and was founded in 1967. While for a long time it mainly produced blended whiskies, in recent years it has made a name for itself with independent bottlings and its own single malts. Glenallachie has gained a higher profile, particularly due to the influence of Billy Walker, and is known for its fruity, often sherried whiskies.
With the AD/04.22:02 release, the young Highland distillery Ardnamurchan once again demonstrates its commitment to transparency. This single malt is composed of ex-bourbon, American and Spanish Oloroso, as well as American and Spanish PX casks from the 2015 and 2016 vintages. Bottled in 2022 at 46.8% ABV, it is non-chill filtered and natural in colour – in true Ardnamurchan fashion.
German whisky is still a young discipline, but some distilleries are boldly venturing forward with creative cask maturations. HeiligenBergFeld is precisely one of these: Their latest bottling, the 2020/2024 Rum Barbados Cask, comes in at a whopping 60.2 % ABV and refuses to be pigeonholed into classic casks.
Once again, the new Diageo Special Releases are here – this time under the name Grand Crescendo. As always, expectations are high, especially given the hefty price tag that accompanies these limited editions year after year. This time, the spotlight is on a 21-years Benrinnes from Speyside – a distillery cherished by insiders but rarely highlighted in such a prominent way. A good reason to take a closer look at this single malt.
When it comes to Scotch whisky, Talisker is synonymous with strong flavours, maritime character and a pinch of smoke. But while the well-known Talisker 10 Years is considered a classic, the Talisker Skye offers a somewhat softer, more accessible alternative - at least on paper.
Islay without peat, but full of depth. Those familiar with older Bruichladdich expressions know this distillery offers not smoke, but structure, elegance, and a quiet strength. Independent bottler Malts of Scotland has secured a venerable bourbon barrel from 1993 – and with it, shows what time can do to a fine single malt. Matured for 30 years on the Isle of Islay, bottled at 45.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour.
Whiskies of this age are rare. Whiskies of this calibre are even rarer. The Benromach 40 Years Batch 2, bottled in 2022 at a bold 56.5% ABV, hails from Scotland's Speyside region and spent four decades in first fill sherry casks. This is not an everyday dram – it’s a sensorial time capsule, meticulously composed and highly limited.