Reviews

This blend of the famous independent bottler Douglas Laing offers us a composition of the characteristic and absolutely unmistakable aromas of the Hebrides.Douglas Laing provides us with independently bottled blends. Founded back in the 1940s, Douglas Laing distributes a variety of different series in which single malts are blended and thematically ordered. Within the Remarkable Regional Malts, Rock Island represents the Scottish islands. Fun Fact: Originally distributed as Rock Oyster, the bottling was renamed to Rock Island, as oysters had a negative connotation for many customers.

The Singleton of Dufftown 12 year is one of the few bottlings with an age statement of more than 10 years that can be purchased for under 30€. As part of the Classic Malts Selection, it becomes even more interesting when viewed in the context of the full lineup. It is part of the core range (12, 15 and 18 years) of the Dufftown distillery.The three distilleries Dufftown, Glen Ord, and Glendullan produce whiskies under the label The Singleton. While The Singleton of Glen Ord is intended for the Asian market, The Singleton of Glendullan targets the North American market and The Singleton of Dufftown belongs to the European market.

To celebrate their 40th birthday the King Car Group, the owner of the Kavalan Distillery, bottled as a Single Cask Limited Edition Whisky matured in exclusive red wine casks. The bottling has no age statement.The bottle comes in a 1.5 litre size and has a cap studded with Swarovski crystals, which is shaped like a crown to emphasise the exclusivity. The whole thing is packed in a high-quality wooden box. The presentation is actually quite impressive.

The discounter LIDL has some single malts in its range, including the Ben Bracken Highland, which is described as light and elegant. We took a closer look at the Whisky.LIDL does not reveal which distillery is behind Ben Bracken. All we know is that we have a Whisky from the Highlands at a bargain price in our glass. The packaging is blue, which distinguishes it from the other Whiskys in the series. There is also an Islay Whisky, an Highland peated and a bottling from Speyside.

The family business Berry Bros & Rudd is considered to be Britain's oldest wine and spirits merchant and is also said to have stocked the Titanic with spirits. Today, the company is known among whisky lovers for its excellent blends.We have a blended malt from the Classic Range by Berry Bros & Rudd in our glass. The Classic Range includes Whiskys from the different regions of Scotland, in this case from Speyside. Of course, the company does not reveal which distilleries the different Whiskys come from.

Named after the Oa Peninsula on the Isle of Islay, Ardbeg An Oa was the first addition to the standard range ten years after the Ardbeg Corryvreckan, having previously focused entirely on limited bottlings.Once again without an age statement, Ardbeg presents us with a Whisky that is even available in a limited barbecue smoker edition. A very good idea, we think, because this way you get the desired smoky flavour even without spices on the barbecue peppers.

Older Whiskys from the Ardmore distillery are rarely found. Among the younger standards is the Ardmore Legacy, as well as the Ardmore Port Wood Finish 12 years, reviewed here.A special characteristic of the distillery from the Scottish Highlands is that, unlike its neighbours, it uses peated barley and thus a fruity-smoky note can be found in the spirits.

In August 2018, almost exactly four years ago, the independent family-owned distillery started operations. After the first limited bottling at the beginning of 2022, and now the first standard bottling follows. We were provided with a sample by the distillery before the release and are now happy to add our two cents.The farm distillery works under the motto dare to be honest. It puts into practice what many whisky lovers want: Honesty and transparency. From the local cultivation of the barley to the bottling - the whole production process is traceable. Master blender John Campbell, previously distillery manager of Laphroaig for 25 years, seized the opportunity to create a Single Malt Whisky in a new distillery, which is to set new standards in terms of quality. By the way: The packaging is chic and classy, as is the bottle.

The German distillery St. Klilian has chosen Bud Spencer and Terrence Hill as characters for its marketing. Both peated and non-peated Whiskys as well as liqueurs appear as part of the series.The label, adorned with Bud Spencer's world-famous fist, promises a quick-witted and humorous experience. Those who have seen the movies of Bud Spencer & Terrence Hill know what we are talking about. Nevertheless, we are actually reviewing a Single Malt Whisky from Germany.

Last month, the madmen from 82 Chapters to Newcastle released a new bottling. This time a single cask from a secret distillery in Scotland's Speyside. It's our first bottle by this independent bottler from Germany. We are beyond excited.A total of 259 bottles are the result of the first fill bourbon cask with which something naughty must have happened. Because otherwise, how would they have gotten these flavours into the Whisky? Bottled at cask strength, the Single Malt Whisky with the unicorn can also be enjoyed slightly diluted with water.

The Single Malt Whisky Left-Field by Starward from Australia matures exclusively in former Australian red wine casks made of French oak. We are pretty happy to say that we found our Whisky of the Summer 2022.The Left-Field belongs to the core-range of Starward and is thus always available. You often have to put down quite a sum of money for Single Malt Whiskys from countries other than Scotland. This bottling is affordable even for the smaller purse. Starward themself praise the Whisky as an easily accessible all-rounder.

Mackmyra Intelligens AI:02, the successor to Mackmyra Intelligens AI:01, promises an improved recipe and an adjustment of the casks in which this Swedish single malt Whisky matures. To refine the flavour depth, small ex-Oloroso Sherry casks and a little peat smoke was added.We still like the marketing very much. On the website, there are release notes for the Whisky, which is actually more usual for software. For example, the change in colour compared to the predecessor is indicated in hex code. A touch nerdy, but very fitting. The design of the label has also been updated slightly.