Independent

3 Whiskies by Claxton’s: Glen Keith, Auchentoshan & more (Rev. Flight)

3 Single Cask Whiskies by Claxton's (Auchentoshan Glen Grant English Whisky Independent Bottler BarleyMania)

When I attended the “Day Of The 100 Open Bottles” at Pinkernell’s Whisky Market in Berlin last month, I tried more than half a dozen drams by Claxton’s. Their well-selected single cask whiskies rendered me so impressed that I took home not one but two bottles: (more…)

Dalmore 24yo by Cadenhead’s (Review)

Dalmore 24yo Rum Finish by Cadenhead's (Highlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cask Strength)

This Dalmore by Scotland’s oldest independent bottler Cadenhead’s is a real luxury dram. Not only has it aged for almost a quarter of a century, but also has it received a rum cask finish of such remarkable length that it could almost be considered a double maturation (more…)

Glenturret 8yo by North Star (Review)

Glenturret 8yo by North Star Spirits (Single Malt Highlands Scotch Whisky Cask Strength Bourbon Tasting Notes)

Two times a year, Glasgow’s North Star Spirits releases a new selection of single cask whiskies. And two times a year, I order at least one bottle from their latest series. After obtaining a muscular grain by Port Dundas in round one and a fruity malt by Linkwood in round two (more…)

Laphroaig 18yo “29.225 – Slapped by a kipper” by SMWS (Review)

Laphroaig 18yo "Slapped by a kipper" by SMWS 29.225 (Single Malt Scotch Whisky Islay Peat Bourbon Cask)

For two reasons, picking a bottle from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is not a particularly hard task. First, the whiskies’ telling monickers always give you a good impression of what to expect. And second, the quality of the releases of the world’s biggest dramming club (more…)

Laphroaig 16yo Directors’ Cut by Douglas Laing (Whisky)

When a whisky legend like Fred Laing, who has been working in the industry for half a century (and counting), hand-picks a cask for a special occasion, you know that liquid greatness is inbound. And indeed, I cannot think of a better term to describe this 16-year-old Laphroaig, (more…)

6 incredible XOP Whiskies by Douglas Laing, pt. 1 (Review Flight)

Xtra Old Particular by Douglas Laing (Single Malt Grain Scotch Whisky North British Littlemill Macallan Cask)

When picking a whisky, the mere age of the distillate is hardly ever the key criteria on which I base my decision. Having already enjoyed more than just a few NAS bottlings and youngsters of exceptional quality, I have learned that there are beautiful whiskies of all ages (more…)

Irish Diamonds 2005 Small Batch No. 03 by Alambic Classique (Review)

Irish Diamonds 2005 Small Batch No. 03 by Alambic Classique Collection (Single Malt Whiskey Ireland Wine Cask Tasting Notes)

“Gummi Bears, bouncing here and there and everywhere…” This is not only the chorus of an 80s TV show I loved to watch when I was a child, but it is also the first thing that came to my mind when I opened my bottle of this beautiful Irish Whiskey (more…)