First Sip Delight – Kilkerran 16 Years Old 2025
Compared with the 2024 edition, this release returned the tall bottle and blended a higher sherry cask ratio; last year’s mix (Bourbon 70% / Sherry 20% / Rum 10%) was replaced with a simpler but bolder ratio of Bourbon 60% / Sherry 40%. The stronger sherry cask influence shows clearly in the glass, giving this 16-year-old a deeper, more elegant profile.
Young, Simple and Delicious - Tomatin 2014
In my impression, younger Tomatin has always been quite good — with sugarcane-like sweetness and a light powdery note that seems to be their house style. For me, younger Tomatin has always left a pleasant impression: that sugarcane juice sweetness and soft cosmetic powder aroma, a combination that is hard not to love.
When a Familiar Friend Suddenly Shines - Blair Athol 2011 Hand-filled
I’ve had this bottle for around 3 years. Over time, I’ve enjoyed it in every possible way – on hot summer days, on cold winter nights, with soda, with cola, alongside ice cream, in coffee, even use it for cook. It’s a whisky I’ve always felt comfortable with, casual and familiar. and I will say: it's good, but not remarkable.
But last night… well, something changed.
Dark Doesn’t Mean Better, Knockando 2008 PX Finish by Signatory Vintage
Dark ≠ Better?
I was sure this deep, espresso-coloured Knockando 2008 would be a flavour bomb. 16 years old, PX hogshead finish… what could go wrong?
Turns out, it’s a whisky lesson I keep relearning.
A Crazy Heather Adventure
it was around this same time last year, in mid-july, when i took a summer trip to the isle of arran, not far from glasgow. while exploring the island, i visited both distilleries operated by the isle of arran distillers group - the old one opened in 1995 in the north at lochranza (commonly known as “arran”), and the newer lagg distillery in the south. but the highlight, or perhaps most harrowing part of the trip, was my hike up goatfell, the island’s highest peak at 874 metres. what was supposed to be a scenic trek turned into an unforgettable and slightly terrifying journey - a true “heather adventure.”
Old Fettercairn 10 Years Old – 1990s Bottling
A screw-cap old bottling from the Highland unicorn, Fettercairn — likely from the 1990s.
The Sea Dragon - Bowmore
Bowmore is a name deeply familiar and beloved among whisky enthusiasts. However, this, the oldest whisky distillery on Islay, has never been one of my favourite distilleries. The reasons are simple: I started exploring whisky relatively late, so I haven’t tasted many Bowmore expressions. Additionally, early on, I was heavily influenced by peaty flavours and felt that Bowmore, with its approximately 25ppm phenol level, wasn’t “authentic” enough. I used to believe that peat Islay whisky should deliver a punch with every sip to truly embody the “Islay flavour.”
But I was wrong.