Reviews

Approachable but not boring – this Highland single malt shows what independent bottlers like Gordon & MacPhail can draw out of a distillery like Tomatin. The Discovery range is designed as an accessible entry point into different whisky styles – smoky, sherried, or fruity. This 2009 Tomatin clearly belongs to the fruity corner – and delivers just that.

England and whisky? Yes, they go together - and this 9-years drop from St George's Distillery proves it emphatically.With a full 67.3% ABV and a profile that almost tastes like bourbon or strong rye, this single malt is anything but ordinary. So if you're expecting a classic Speysider, you'd better buckle up - here's a whisky that doesn't just have slicing and dicing in its name!

Whisky from Italy? What sounded exotic a few years ago has become a reality thanks to the Puni distillery. The Puni Sole 4 years (release 2017) is a young but exciting whisky that develops a complex interplay of flavours thanks to its maturation in bourbon and sherry casks. At 46% vol., it has a pleasant strength without being overpowering.

Some whiskies are like a relaxing evening stroll - gentle, cosy, predictable. And then there are bottlings like the Ben Nevis 2013 from cask 78.84 of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society: a wild ride through dense flavours, strong sherry influences and a concentrated load of oak spice.

The Feis Ile bottlings are a highlight for Islay fans every year, and 2024 doesn't disappoint either: the Mac-Talla 2009/2024 Feis Ile from Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers has everything you would expect from a classic, smoky dram - and a little bit more.

Ballindalloch Distillery, one of the younger distilleries in Scotland's famous Speyside region, has created a whisky that combines both strength and elegance with its Ballindalloch 2016/2024 8 Years.

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.

The AYRER's RED Organic Single Malt 2019/2024 is a German whisky from the Hausbrauerei Altstadthof in Nuremberg. This organic whisky is made from specialty malt from Franconia, which also gives traditional Nuremberg Red Beer its reddish color and velvety smooth taste. The mash is fermented in wooden vats and then gently distilled in a small copper still. After maturing for at least three years in new American oak casks, the whisky is bottled unfiltered by hand, with each bottle individually numbered.

The Glenturret 12 Years 2024 can be seen as the "big brother" of the Triple Wood 2024. With a clear age statement and a noticeably richer color, this whisky promises more depth and structure. Bottled at 46.4% ABV, it brings a combination of spice, fruitiness, and a creamy texture.

The Scottish Glenfiddich distillery is one of the best-known names in the whisky world, but this bottling is something special: a 23-years drop, bottled by VAME Malts. The ‘Rude Olph’ promises a combination of tradition and a breath of fresh air. Will it live up to this promise? Let's find out!

The Lichtburg 2001/2023 from the Historic Series No. 8 is a whisky that raises questions. The distillery is not officially named, but a glance at the label gives rise to suspicions: Jack Teeling and Dublin are written there - a possible clue to its origin? What we do know for sure: This 21-years bottling comes from Ireland, was bottled at a hefty 53.6% vol. and comes from Rolf Kaspar GmbH, an independent bottler that is always bringing exciting releases to the market.

The HeiligenBergFeld Distillery, nestled in the Bavarian Alpine foothills, presents the HeiligenBergFeld 2018/2022 Oloroso Sherry Cask, a remarkable single malt whisky. This expression stands out with its cask strength of 57.8% ABV and maturation in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks.

The 2023 Islay Single Malt Whisky, bottled by Feinkost Reifferscheid, is a characterful release without an age statement (No Age Statement), boasting a robust alcohol content of 56.0% ABV. As an independent bottler, Feinkost Reifferscheid has once again delivered a whisky that embodies the quintessential traits of the Isle of Islay.