The Pearl of Islay – Bruichladdich
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The Pearl of Islay – Bruichladdich

One summer, a man on a cycling tour of Islay happened to pass by the shores of Loch Indaal. He noticed the weathered stone buildings of Bruichladdich standing quietly by the sea. Curious, he stopped, dismounted, and walked up to the iron gates — then, for reasons even he couldn’t explain, began knocking loudly.

Inside, an old worker named Benjin, who had been maintaining the site for 36 years, heard the noise and came to open the heavy black gates. In that moment, the gears of destiny began to turn again - it was the summer of 1994.

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島上的珍珠 - Bruichladdich
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島上的珍珠 - Bruichladdich

在某年的夏天,一名男子騎著自行車,在艾雷島上進行著騎行之旅,而當他經過 Loch Indaal 的海岸邊上,被岸邊上的 Bruichladdich 蒸餾廠建築物吸引,他慢慢的停下了自行車,在好奇心的驅駛下走到正對海岸的鐵閘前,也不知道是什麼原因,他開始大力的拍打鐵閘,而廠內一名在此已經工作了 36 年,正在維護設備的老員工 Benjin 聽到了動靜,並來到了大門前,打開了那雙當時還時黑色的老舊鐵閘,蒸餾廠的命運齒輪又再次開始轉動,而這時是 1994 年的夏天。

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First Sip Delight – Kilkerran 16 Years Old 2025
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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.

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Young, Simple and Delicious - Tomatin 2014
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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.

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When a Familiar Friend Suddenly Shines - Blair Athol 2011 Hand-filled
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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.

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A Crazy Heather Adventure
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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.”

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The Sea Dragon - Bowmore
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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.

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