Independent Review Archive | Drams of Whisky

Ben Nevis 2015 4-Year Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited

47.5% ABV - Highlands, Scotland

Nose: Rich prunes, jam, old warehouse, malty (which is quite present throughout), chocolate covered nuts, ... [Read more]

BenRiach 2010 Càrn Mòr Speyside 8-Year

46% ABV - Speyside

Nose: Fairly light and juicy, with red fruits, dried fruit leathers, cherry, light smattering of raisin, a... [Read more]

Blackadder Peat Reek Raw Cask

59.5% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Heavy peat ahead! Malted notes, light orchard fruits, and maritime. Water brings out caramels, grass... [Read more]

Bowmore 2002 Exclusive Malts 12-Year

56.6% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Instantly the smoke is detectable - more peated that a typical Bowmore; it has sooty elements to it,... [Read more]

Caol Ila 2003 G&M Sassicaia Wood Finish

45% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Mineral, very lightly peated – but it’s a dense cloud, some underlying sweetness and lighter florals... [Read more]

Caol Ila 2010/2019 Càrn Mòr Legacy Liquor Store

61.2% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Big wafts of diesel and vegetal peat, with white wine and fruits covered up, and some heat or astrin... [Read more]

Compass Box KWM 25th Anniversary Blended Scotch

45% ABV - Blended, Scotland

Nose: Fruity notes come fast – light, mostly red – and there is the whiff of smoke that blankets it all. B... [Read more]

Compass Box No Name

48.9% ABV - Blended, Scotland

Nose: Wet, earthy peat with mineral characteristics, briny, and there are some floral perfume notes that w... [Read more]

Douglas Laing Big Peat 10-Year

46% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Up front there is light peat smoke atop diesel, wet root (earthy), slightly vegetal, and marine arom... [Read more]

Douglas Laing Big Peat Christmas Edition 2013

54.9% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Punchy, heavily peated, rubber tires, tar, beach fire,... all the descriptors fitting within that af... [Read more]

Douglas Laing Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017

54.1% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: PEAT! Heavy.. It’s that tarry rope, and that earthiness.. There is also a touch of marine air. It’s ... [Read more]

Douglas Laing Big Peat Christmas Edition 2018

53.9% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: This is MEDICINAL. Heavily peated, heavily smoked. Spices. Distant cola flavours. Emphasis on the wa... [Read more]

Douglas Laing Big Peat Christmas Edition 2019

53.7% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Heavily peated with waves of medicinal, diesel, and vegetal characteristics. Light fruits, honey, an... [Read more]

Douglas Laing Double Barrel Highland Park & Bowmore 10-Year

46% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Sweet, dried fruits, and light smoke with spices.... [Read more]

Laphroaig 1998 Old Malt Cask 12-Year

50% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Sweet, phenolic peat, accompanied by cereal and fresh fruits (almost tropical). The stretch tasting ... [Read more]

Laphroaig 2010 Càrn Mòr Williamson 7-Year

46% ABV - Islay, Scotland

Nose: Heavy peat. While I waited some minutes after pouring, the uncovered glass wafted smoke about the ar... [Read more]

Lost Distillery Gerston

46% ABV - Blended, Scotland

Nose: Pear, tropical fruits, red apple, red fruits, light smoke, grasses, and mineral or pavement. Very li... [Read more]

Macaloney’s Twa Cask (Bunnahabhain & Caol Ila)

46% ABV - Blended, Scotland

Nose: There are lots of light flavours like melon, floral notes, and traces of apple. An underlying vegeta... [Read more]

Mackinlay's Shackleton Whisky The Journey

47.3% ABV - Blended, Scotland

Nose: Green fruits, baked apple, grape flavouring (think juice boxes) with slight rose florals. It’s a bit... [Read more]

Monkey Shoulder

43% ABV - Blended, Scotland

Nose: Lots of sweet fruits and honey, opening to red fruits and plum. Not too much complexity or deep flav... [Read more]