A pair of discontinued Scapas

When most drinkers think of Orkney, they think of Highland Park. Highland Park is quite old, dating back to 1798, it has been fairly consistently available as a single malt since single malts became a thing at all, it has been intermittently beloved by both professional whisky critics and malt aficionados, and it spent most …

Continue reading A pair of discontinued Scapas

Auchroisk 20, Special Release 2010

The Basics: Do I recommend it?: For fans of lighter malts, yes; for the rest, skip on down. Availability: Auction only ABV: 58.1% (cask strength) Presentation: Unspecified General information: n/a Bottling type: Proprietary Character: Citric, grassy and herbal. Score: 80/100 The details: Auchroisk was built in 1972 by IDV, the parent firm of Justerini & …

Continue reading Auchroisk 20, Special Release 2010

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. …

Continue reading Nc’nean

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 …

Continue reading Glen Scotia Victoriana

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 …

Continue reading Ardnamurchan AD/09:22 Cask Strength