Reviews

A German whisky from an Islay cask? Sounds like a wild ride at first ... But we'll see whether we're surprised in a positive or negative way.

The Nc'nean Distillery, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, is renowned for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the exploration of new flavors. Their Huntress series, inspired by Neachneohain—the "Queen of Spirits" from Gaelic mythology—embodies this spirit. The Nc'nean Huntress Lemon Meadow 2019/2025 continues this journey: a single malt whisky without age statement, bottled at a robust 48.5% ABV, and free from coloring or chill filtration.

The Caperdonich Distillery is one of the vanished legends of the Scotch whisky world. Closed in 2002 and finally demolished in 2011, its bottlings are now coveted rarities.

Black Sabbath. Judas Priest. Heavy riffs. Flamethrowers. And now also: whisky. With the limited Heavy Metal Edition ‘Birmingham - Home of Metal’, St. Kilian is bringing a single malt to the stage that is just as uncompromising as the music to which it is dedicated. No smoke, no age statement, but 60.6% cask strength by volume and a load of virgin oak.

The Allt-a-Bhainne Distillery, more of a hidden champion of the Speyside region, surprises time and again with unique bottlings. The Scottish Roadsign Edition No. 11 from independent bottler Flickenschild brings an exciting side of this distillery to light - raw, powerful and surprisingly nuanced at the same time.

With the Signature Edition FOURTEEN, the St. Kilian Distillery is launching a single malt on the market that is deliberately dedicated to the influence of fine French cask art. This limited bottling combines distillates that have matured for between three and seven years in a selection of exceptional casks - including Rhum Agricole, Armagnac, Cognac, Sauternes, Margaux red wine and Champagne Vin Clair.

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.

Attention whisky nerds: If you think you've tasted everything - stop for a moment. The St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara - Peated is not a standard bottling, but an aromatic border crosser that is anything but predictable. This limited single cask bottling from the renowned St. Kilian Distillery combines Japanese elegance with German innovative spirit.

The Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky is a real all-rounder that not only shines on its own, but also in cocktails. With an ABV of 45.0 % and an innovative production process that combines 80 % corn and 20 % barley, this whisky offers a pleasantly smooth texture - just the thing for anyone looking for a balanced and versatile whisky.

With the Cap à Pie, Michel Couvreur expands his portfolio with a bold new blend. This assemblage combines whiskies aged between 4 and 12 years, all of which spent an additional four years finishing in ex-sherry casks. Bottled at 45% ABV and without an age statement, this whisky keeps its origins a secret—but the influence of its maturation is unmistakable.

Located in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside region, Glen Moray is known for approachable, fruit-driven whiskies. Since the grand opening of its visitor centre on July 6th, 2004, the distillery has continued to evolve while staying true to its roots. Interestingly, Glen Moray played a key role in the early days of wood finishing experiments — a technique that would later make Glenmorangie world-famous. With the Port Cask Finish, Glen Moray presents a no-age-statement single malt matured in ex-bourbon barrels before receiving a finishing period in port wine casks. Bottled at a friendly 40% ABV, it's an ideal choice for those new to whisky.

Every year, Woodford Reserve celebrates the Kentucky Derby with a limited edition release. The Kentucky Derby 148 bottle is not only visually striking—designed by renowned equine artist Jaime Corum—but also aims to capture the elegance and power of the iconic horse race in its flavor profile. But does this bourbon live up to the promise of its exclusive design?

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select is a Kentucky bourbon known for its classic yet full-bodied style. The Woodford Reserve Distillery produces a series of four straight whiskeys, each highlighting a primary grain. The Distiller’s Select is a bourbon, meaning it contains at least 51% corn, complemented by rye and malted barley. One standout feature is its pot still distillation – a rarity among Kentucky bourbons, adding depth and complexity to the final product.