Caol Ila distillery is one of the highest producing distilleries in Scotland. This powerhouse produces 6.5 million litres of whisky per year, and is a major component of both Johnnie Walker Black 12 year and the Black Bottle blends. It only began producing whisky for sale as an official bottling single malt in 2002 with … Continue reading Caol Ila 12

Cask finishing is a huge part of Scotch whisky. It is used by distilleries to expand their offerings and experiment, using different spirits, wines and now beers to influence their whisky and create new and interesting expressions with which to separate us from our cash. "Finishing" means to take a whisky that has been matured in … Continue reading Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve

Campbeltown is a small town in the extreme west of Scotland which used to claim to be the "whisky capital of the world", with 30 distilleries operating within it's local area. These glory days are now behind it, and with only 3 distilleries now operating in Campbeltown it only just meets the minimum requirements to … Continue reading Kilkerran 12

When something exceeds your expectations, it is easy to become endeared to it and give it more credit that it objectively deserves. With that in mind I'll try and keep the following opinion of Ardmore Legacy realistic. I'm sure there are many people out there who wouldn't touch a 40% NAS bottle which cost £20 … Continue reading Ardmore Legacy

I'd like to talk about the oft-divisive subject of adding water to whisky. Nothing can tear apart a good discussion about whisky quite like differing opinions on the subject of exactly how it should be enjoyed. Some people happily add liberal teaspoons of water to every dram they consume, commenting on how it "releases the … Continue reading Deanston 12

I recently reviewed the standard 10 year old from Laphroaig, and whilst it was enjoyable I found it somewhat lacking and a little thin due to the 40% ABV and extensive chill filtration. I ended the review by saying that I would like to try a Laphroaig with a more craft presentation, and so here … Continue reading Laphroaig Quarter Cask

I recently (August '18) spent 3 weeks travelling around Scotland, camping, walking and visiting distilleries. As part of the trip we climbed Ben Nevis, which was incredible in itself, not least because we got engaged at the top whilst sheltering next to the abandoned observatory in the middle of a hailstorm! Seeing as we were … Continue reading Ben Nevis: Nevis Dew 12 Blend