By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B- The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release in Ardbeg’s Anthology Collection, showcasing the distillery’s creativity. Dr. Bill Lumsden, head whisky creation and distilling at Ardbeg, names each whisky in the collection after a different mythological creature. So this time, it’s a unicorn. Lumsden said, “At Ardbeg we love to …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- In 2023, I chose to do a rare batch review for the 14th installment of Bruichladdich’s famously smoky Octomore series. This year, I chose to tackle October 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 separately, which brings me to the third and final chapter of Octomore 2024: the ultra-peated Octomore 15.3. Bruichladdich has …
Speyside’s Tamnavulin Distillery, with a lineup rooted in distinctive double cask maturation, is adding a Port Cask Edition to its core range. Every expression from Tamnavulin undergoes a meticulous ageing process in two distinct casks. The first maturation in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels crafts a rich and layered foundation. The whisky is then masterfully finished …
By Richard Thomas At the end of 2020 and in the midst of the Pandemic, the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced that they would alter regulations allowing for the sale of spirits in 700ml bottles in the United States. For decades prior, the US had a singular requirement for the …
Diageo’s Orphan Barrel brand continues to reach outside its American origins with the new Woven Honor 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, a bottling of Linkwood Distillery’s malt. Most of what Linkwood makes goes into Diageo blended whiskies, such as Johnnie Walker. As a distillery, Linkwood is a curiosity in that it was founded …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A When I established The Whiskey Reviewer in 2011, it was already inconceivable to stay on top of both the growing realm of world whiskey and the burgeoning American craft distilling scene. The American small distilling sector was already too large and growing too fast, although the new distilleries popping up …
By Alex Southgate Rating: A- It’s nice to try something new. It’s even nicer to be given the opportunity to be one of the first to try something and this is why I’m currently feeling both honored and excited in equal measure: Halcyon Spirits newest expression is a 17 year old Caol Ila. This whiskey …
The Isle of Harris Distillery today releases the second permanent expression within The Hearach single malt range, The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured, exactly one year following the historic release of the distillery’s inaugural whisky. The new Oloroso expression is entirely matured in first fill Oloroso sherry butts, for a bold and deeply aromatic spirit that …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ The providence for Bruichladdich’s Octomore 15.2 is (as follows the pattern for the Octomore series broadly) is similar to that of Octomore 15.1. It too is a distillate from a wash of 100% mainland Scotland-grown Concerto barley, which was also peated to 108.2 ppm. Where it diverges is in the …
Scotland’s Highland distillery Fettercairn has released the latest edition of its 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky. Available annually, Fettercairn 18 Year Old is finished in responsibly-sourced, native Scottish Oak and shines a light on provenance and innovation. Nestled in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, the team at Fettercairn, which this year celebrates 200 …
