islay
-
Bruichladdich 12 Year (2009), Rest & Be ThankfulWine Cask #304458.9% Nose: Nutty vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and molasses. There’s a (dark, eg cherry) fruit note that reminds me of a drier, slightly bitter madeira. A touch of Laddie if you’re looking for it. Palate: Somewhat full, juicy, but not quite big. A touch of heat. It’s…
-
Bruichladdich 18 Year (2004), Re/DefineBourbon, Sauternes, and Port casks50% Nose: Quite lemon-sweet over glazed, doughy notes. Slightly astringent. Faint orange creamsicle. Palate: Peppery and malty, lemon, cream. Honeysuckle. Finish: A puff of char as the palate transitions. That astringent note tickles around in the palate but really builds in the finish. Mildly dank. Score: 3.5/5Mental…
-
Ardbeg Smokiverse48.3% Nose: Yum. Very maritime. So smooth and rounded. Grilled white peach, dying coals, burnt sugar, rosemary salt. Peat builds on sourdough. Limoncello. Palate: A touch hot. Creamy peat. Sweet with just a touch of sour, hyper-ripe stone fruit with a drizzle of lemon. Clove. Perhaps some sauternes. Salty, minerality. Finish: Herby bitterness. Sweet,…
-
Laphraoig Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength59.6% abv Nose: Delicately sweet. Peaty, somewhat of an acrid cleaner underlying it. Smells like it’s going to be peppery. A little musty. Palate: Wow, yep that’s hot. Zinger. Subtly bitter and sour. Salty. Old cough syrup. Sourdough crackers. Fairly good mouthfeel, juicy and gives your mouth a bit of a…
-
Lagavulin 15 Year, Fèis Ìle 2025Moscotel de Málaga finish55.7% abv Nose: Flowery, medicinal. Salted caramel, buttery. Just a touch of smoke. Water brings out a hint of lemon. Palate: Peat shows boldly. Toffee. Bready. Initially sweet, then peppery. Honey undertones bring some sweetness back. Water brings out nutty characteristics. Subtle popcorn. Faint citrus. Finish: Flowery,…
-
Bowmore 8 Year, Feis Isle 2025Oloroso seasoned Spanish oak (single) cask100% floor malted barley (typically 20-30%)56% abv Nose: Unctuous. Dark, brackish. Licorice. Stewed, salty red fruits. Raisins. Make this a cologne, please. Palate: Dry. Practically grippy. Sumptuous sherry. Walnuts. Sprinkle of salt. Solid mouthfeel. Gets quite decadent, rich caramel. Finish: Immediately syrupy and juicy. Everything…
-
Caol Ila 8 Year, Fèis Ìle 2025 Refill PX and OlorosoFinished in toasted Colombian oakProduced 1,476 bottles57.8% abv Nose: Sweet. Smoke. Wine cask. Flinstone vitamins. Orange chocolate. Occasionally musty. Palate: Oh yeah, the wine cask note. Transitions more to typical sherry notes. Warm, rich. A touch musty. Chocolate builds over time. It has an oddly sweet…
-
Ardnahoe 6 Year, Fèis Ìle 20251st fill bourbon barrels producing 1,116 bottles59.8% abv Ardnahoe is the only scotch distillery with wormtubs. One thus might expect a meatier distillate, but not getting that here. Jim McEwan helped develop this distillery, but recently for sale. Apparently it has fantastic views. Nose: Creamy, lemon. Vanilla. A touch of…
-
From Dramfool: “Barrel #3203 was filled on 21st September 2011, and bottled at natural cask strength of 61.0% on 12th February 2025, making this delightful Laddie 13 years old. 216 bottles were yielded from the barrel.” (Image credit: Dramfool) Whisky: Bruichladdich 13 Year (2011), Dramfool’s Middle CutCountry/Region: Scotland/IslayCask: 1st Fill BourbonABV: 61% I hate to…
-
A limited edition of 3,000 bottles for the Fèis Ìle 2024. This spirit was distilled in 2013 and then aged in bourbon casks before being re-casked in the following barrels from 2017 to 2023: Sauternes (12.5%), Austrian dessert wine (12.5%), and ex-brandy casks from Fernando de Castilla, Spain, which previously held Pedro Ximenez sherry (75%).…