Nc’nean

The Basics:  Do I recommend it?: For completionists, yes; less so for more casual malt drinkers. Availability: Specialty retail. ABV: 46% Presentation: Unchillfiltered and natural color General information: An early release of the core NAS Nc’nean whisky; I was unsuccessful at identifying a precise batch. Bottling type: Proprietary Character: Aromatic, fruity, and a little spicy. …

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Glen Scotia Victoriana

The Basics: Do I recommend it?: Yes indeed! Availability: Specialty retail, especially UK-based. ABV: 51.5% Presentation: Unchillfiltered and natural color General information: n/a Bottling type: Proprietary Character: Nutty, fruity and savory. Score: 90/100 The details: Originally called simply Scotia, the distillery was founded in 1832 by Steward, Galbraith and Co. It became part of a …

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Ardnamurchan AD/09:22 Cask Strength

The Basics: Do I recommend it?: Very highly! Availability: Intermittent ABV: 58.4% (cask strength) Presentation: Unchillfiltered and natural color General information: Mix of peated and unpeated spirit. Bottling type: Proprietary Character: Aromatic, peaty, fruity and complex. Score: 93/100 The details: It has become increasingly common practice for independent bottlers to acquire or build their own …

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Ardbeg Galileo

The Basics: Do I recommend it?: Yes, but only close to retail price (unlikely). Availability: Scarce. ABV: 49.0% Presentation: Unchillfiltered and natural color General information: Commemorates a small amount of Ardbeg whisky being sent into space. Bottling type: Proprietary Character: Sooty, smoky, fruity and sweet. Score: 91/100 The details: Ever since the great Ardbeg renaissance …

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My favorite malt distilleries (and some thoughts on other distilleries, too!)

People often ask me: “Michael, what are your favorite Scottish distilleries? You know so much about Scotch whisky, I really want to pick your brain and find out which distilleries you keep coming back to!” Just kidding. No one has ever asked me that, although I have often wished someone would ask me about my …

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