Reviews

The Glen Ord 2011/2021 10 Years Old from van Wees represents a fascinating connection between the traditional Glen Ord distillery in the Scottish Highlands and the Dutch independent bottler van Wees. Glen Ord, located in Muir of Ord since 1838, is one of Scotland's most technically advanced distilleries, producing over 11 million litres of pure alcohol annually. The distillery, known for its precise distillation technique and the use of six stainless steel washbacks, supplies the raw material for this 10-years single malt.

The Gammelstilla distillery, surrounded by mirror-smooth lakes and dense forests, epitomises the essence of Scandinavian whisky philosophy. Here, where the silence is almost tangible, this exceptional single malt matures in carefully selected casks. The Single Cask No. 2 with its 7 years of maturation and powerful 53.50% vol. is the result of a special journey: Ex-bourbon casks initially gave it its basic structure before the Madeira finish added the finishing touches.

Berry Bros & Rudd – a name synonymous with fine spirits since 1698. The traditional London-based company has long since made a name for itself as one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers. Their latest coup: a sherry cask matured blended malt with no age statement, bottled at 44.2% ABV, which promises to blur the boundaries between whisky and sherry dessert.

There are whiskies that captivate you from the very first sniff – and then there are those that reveal their true greatness only gradually. The Longmorn 11 Years 2014/2025 from renowned independent bottler James Eadie definitely belongs to the latter category. Read on to find out what makes this 11-years single malt so special and why it could easily be mistaken for a much older whisky.

Who would have thought that such a treasure was hidden behind the unassuming name Royal Brackla? The distillery from the Scottish Highlands often leads a shadowy existence alongside the big names, but Thompson Bros impressively proves with this 10-years bottling why Royal Brackla deserves the title "The King's Own Whisky".

In the world of whisky, there are always surprises that come from unexpected corners. The Westfalian Cask 86, a 10-years German single malt whisky, is one of these exotic spirits. With a proud age of ten years, matured in a sherry cask (at least 2nd fill) and bottled at a cask strength of 56.50 %, we have found one of these.

The Westfalian Cask 256 is a single rye whisky (100% rye) that matured in a first-fill ruby port cask from 2019 to 2023. With 59.1% alcohol by volume, it is a powerful drop that was bottled without chill-filtration and without colouring.

Well, do you know Tormore? If not, you're in good company – this Speyside distillery tends to lead a rather shadowy existence in the whisky universe. Founded in 1958, Tormore now belongs to Chivas Brothers and mainly produces for blends. But every now and then, a few casks make it onto the market as single malts.

The Highlands are renowned for their distinctive single malts, and for over a century, the Ardmore distillery has been synonymous with powerful, smoky whiskies with unmistakable character. When a renowned independent bottler such as Signatory Vintage brings its expertise to bear, the result is often a true treasure. This 12-years Ardmore from 2012, bottled at a proud 60.70% ABV after maturing in bourbon barrels, promises an exciting journey through history, combining Highland tradition with American influence. Can this dram live up to the high expectations and reconcile the distillery's characteristic 'dirty' profile with the mild elegance of a bourbon barrel?

The Lowlands are known for their smooth, elegant whiskies, but the Mystic Lowlands 2011/2024 from Malts of Scotland proves that this region can also produce intense and complex character.

Sometimes you discover a whisky that surprises you with its simple honesty. Turntable Spirits Unplugged is one such candidate – a Scottish blended whisky with no age statement, bottled at 46% ABV, whose name says it all.

In the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands, where mist settles over the fields like a silky veil, something extraordinary is created at the InchDairnie Distillery. James Eadie's Finglassie 8 Years 2017/2025 can easily compete with the much more expensive Lagavulin Single Casks.