Back in November 2022, we picked up A Tale of Forest. Fast forward to today—the bottle’s empty, and the question is: Does it still live up to our first impression—and would we buy it again? Stick around to find out! First, a quick refresher on the tasting notes. Nose: pine, juniper and light smokePalate: bitter,…
Tag: single malt
Bruichladdich Organic 2003 Anns An T-Seann Doigh
Over Thanksgiving weekend, we had the chance to sample Bruichladdich Organic 2003 Anns An T-Seann Doigh—a whisky I’d never encountered before. ‘Anns An T-Seann Doigh’ translated from Gaelic as ‘in the traditional way.’ This was Bruichladdich’s first organic release, distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2009. It’s likely no longer available, but I couldn’t resist…
Glenfiddich x Aston Martin F1 16-Year Single Malt
I’ll admit, I’ve never sat through an entire Formula One™ race—but there’s no denying how iconic the sport is. Glenfiddich has teamed up with the Aston Martin Formula One team to craft this special 16-Year expression. Time to buckle up and find out if this bottle takes the checkered flag. Nose: sweetness, toasted oak and…
Ardbeg Anthology 14-Year: The Unicorn Tale
I’ve always been a big fan of Ardbeg—so much so that it was the very first distillery we visited on our trip to Scotland. That said, some of their recent releases haven’t quite hit the mark for me—not because of flavor, but because of price. There are exceptions, of course (BizarreBQ was fantastic and I…
Balvenie French Oak 16-Year
I recently had the pleasure of sampling The Balvenie French Oak 16-Year, and it was truly a remarkable experience. This expression spends 16 years maturing in American Oak before finishing in French oak casks that once held wine from the Charentes vineyards. The result is a whisky that beautifully marries tradition with a touch of…
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
Glenmorangie has unveiled a new addition to its Tale series: A Tale of Spices. Inspired by the vibrant colors and intoxicating aromas of bustling spice markets, this expression promises a sensory adventure. Personally, A Tale of Ice Cream still holds the crown for me—but let’s see how this latest release measures up. A Tale of…
Cotswolds Distillery: 2023 Single Cask Release Madeira Casks
This past weekend, we went to a whisky tasting event, which we paid to attend, and stumbled upon Cotswolds Distillery—a brand I’d never heard of until then and boy, what a great discovery! Let’s dive in. Cotswolds Distillery is in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside and was founded in 2014 by Dan Szor, a…
Tamnavulin Double Cask
This Double Cask marks my second encounter with Tamnavulin. Back in September, I explored their Sherry Cask edition—a delightful introduction to the brand. So how does this one measure up? Let’s dive in. A quick refresher on Tamnavulin: nestled in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains near the River Livet, this Speyside distillery began its…
Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky
At a recent event, I had the rare pleasure of tasting Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky — a remarkable recreation of the original whisky shipped to Antarctica in 1907 by the legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton. Crafted to honor that historic expedition, this whisky is both elusive and exceptionally high priced, making it a true…
Tamdhu 12-Year, 15-Year and 18-Year
I was genuinely excited to discover this sample pack, especially since I hadn’t explored this distillery much before. Priced at just $19.99, it included three expressions: a 12-Year, 15-Year, and 18-Year. The distillery, originally established in 1897, was unfortunately shuttered in 2010. Thankfully, Ian Macleod Distillers revived it in 2012, staying true to its heritage…
Jura Bourbon Cask
Curious about what happened to Jura Journey? It’s been replaced by Jura Bourbon Cask, a low-ABV expression that now serves as the gateway to the Jura range. But how does it measure up? Let’s dive in and find out. Nose: vanilla, coconut and light peat Palate: fruits, toffee, coconut and vanilla Finish: fruity with notes…
Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Edition
Happy first day of fall! My favorite season has officially arrived, and I’m kicking it off with a Single Malt Scotch that’s new to me—Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Edition. I recently attended a tasting event at Norfolk Wine and Spirits in Norfolk, MA, where this was one of the featured selections. So… was it any good?…