Reviews

Campbeltown is a whisky region full of character - salty, rugged, maritime and often blessed with a sparse elegance. The Glen Scotia Distillery carries on this heritage and regularly brings exceptional bottlings to the market with its Icons of Campbeltown series. The Dragon, the second edition in this series, is a 14-years single malt with a powerful 56.8% ABV that challenges both experienced whisky lovers and adventurers alike.

Scotland and golf – a classic combination. The Kingsbarns Balcomie is named after a golf course in Fife and comes from the Lowland distillery of the same name. The Wemyss family, already known as an independent bottler, has been operating Kingsbarns since 2014. For this whisky, Isabella Wemyss relies on maturation in Oloroso sherry casks made of American white oak. The result? A smooth, sweet dram that carries the signature of this young distillery.

Kilkerran is known for its raw, honest whiskies - and this 8-years Batch 10 is no exception. At a whopping 57.4% ABV, it packs quite a punch, but behind the strength lies a sophisticated blend of smoke, spice and sweetness.

The building was originally a cotton mill before it was converted into a distillery in 1965. Today, whisky flows here instead of lengths of cloth - and around 15% of the production ends up in our glasses as single malt.

In 2015, the Teeling Distillery revived whiskey production in Dublin. With their craft distillery in the Liberties, they honor Irish tradition while bringing a modern twist. This Teeling Rosé Wine Cask is part of their innovative lineup – but what does it have to offer?

The Diageo Special Releases bring some of the most exciting bottlings to the market every year. In 2024, the Roseisle 12 Years Origami Kite 2 is a whisky from a distillery that was only founded in 2010 and has barely made an appearance as a single malt to date. Scepticism is appropriate - especially with a proud price that competes with established Speyside classics.

The Compass Box Artist Blend is a blended Scotch whisky that pays homage to the creative soul of Edinburgh. Since its introduction in 2011, it has established itself as a staple in the Compass Box core range, promising the high quality the independent bottler is known for. Bottled at 43% ABV, without an age statement, it boasts natural color and is non-chill filtered. This blend combines selected malt and grain whiskies, including distillates from Linkwood, Clynelish, and Cameronbridge.

With Wilder Seas, Talisker has released a special limited bottling that not only impresses with its maritime character, but also with its sustainable mission. In collaboration with Parley for the Oceans, the sale of this edition is intended to help protect over 100 million square metres of marine space.

A new Lagavulin special release? The whisky nerd grabs his nosing glass faster than an Islay fisherman grabs his mackintosh. The ‘Fireside Tales’ from the Diageo Special Releases 2024 promises a warm, smoky story by the fireside.

An 18-years Highland Park bottled by Signatory Vintage – sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? What makes this release even more exciting is that it’s not another “Secret Orkney,” but a genuine Highland Park, showcasing the distillery’s signature style. On paper, it promises a lot – but does it deliver? Let’s find out.

Nc'Nean is known for its high-quality organic whiskies. With the Nc'Nean Organic 2019/2024 Cask Strength Batch GD06, the distillery is now presenting a particularly strong and intense variant.

Jameson is one of the world’s most renowned Irish whiskey brands, and the Caskmates series has become an exciting playground for experimentation. The concept: classic Jameson undergoes additional maturation in barrels that previously held craft beer – in this case, an India Pale Ale (IPA). The goal is to add fresh, hoppy notes to the smooth Irish whiskey. But how does that translate into flavor? Let’s find out.