Category Archives: Whisky of the Month

Posts of each month’s taster!

Mac-Talla Strata 15 Year

15 year old single malt from the Mac-Talla range, titled Strata, as a reference to the various rock formations across Islay’s shores. The whisky is also from Islay, though the distillery remains a mystery. Drawn from a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, it’s a flavoursome dram with fruity, spice, and whiffs of mineral-rich smoke.

Nose Rock pools and sea shells, juxtaposed by redcurrant and toffee pennies.

Palate Rounded barley with waves of soft smoke, dotted by chocolate, vanilla, cassia, and salted butter.

Finish Very subtly grassy, still with vanilla and coastal peat smoke at the fore.

Inchdairnie RyeLaw


RYELAW

A RYE WHISKY THAT QUESTIONS HISTORY

£114.99 inc VAT & delivery

RyeLaw is a single distillery Fife Rye Scotch Whisky made from malted rye and barley. It is hammer milled, mashed, outdoor fermented, precision distilled and matured in new charred oak casks at InchDairnie Distillery in Fife.

RyeLaw is the world’s only precision distilled malted rye Scotch whisky.

About: We are a Fife distillery that builds on malt whisky tradition, while actively exploring and pushing the limits of Scotch whisky. From grain to bottle, we take an innovative approach to flavour, and engineer our whiskies with a strong purpose: to excite palates.

Highland Park 21 2022

This latest release of our 21 Year Old opens with enticing aromas of espresso coffee, dark chocolate, marmalade on toast and crushed coriander seeds. Notes of tangy ginger and oriental spice driven by first-fill, sherry seasoned European oak hogsheads marry sweet citrus and cedar notes from ex-bourbon barrels, while refill casks diffuse any lingering oak and deliver an intriguing layer of complexity. This, and all bound in an aromatic cloud of our trademark heather-infused peat smoke.

Created from only 14 casks, all laid down in 2000 and earlier years, our 2022 release is a superb example of the expert craftsmanship of our Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, who has selected three distinctive cask types and married them to perfection, creating a mature whisky of exceptional quality and character.

Glengoyne Legacy Series: Chapter 3

It’s the third installment of Glengoyne’s The Legacy Series, and this one celebrates the distillery’s original excise manager Sir Arthur John Tedder. Tedder lived on site after taking up the role in 1889, enabling him to keep a keen eye out for any illicit whisky leaving the warehouses! This single malt is bottled from a selection of ex-sherry casks chosen from the Glengoyne warehouses, where they presumably remain under heavy guard by Sir Tedder’s predecessors. A delicious reminder of the importance of attention to detail, demonstrated masterfully as ever by the folks at Glengoyne.

Notes from the club on the Glengoyne Legacy Series Chapters 1-3:

Chapter 3 was the outright favourite of the series, followed closely by Chapter 1. It’s amazing how the different subtleties of the various cask finishes lead to a variety of different flavours from the same distillate. Once again these value oriented whiskies gave a full tour of the range of finishes and taste profiles from this fantastic distillery. Certainly add it to your lists if you are still able to find the Legacy series near your. A must purchase!

Glengoyne Legacy Series Chapter 2

It’s the second chapter in Glengoyne’s Legacy series! This one was dedicated to Peter Russell, chairman and founder of Ian Macleod Distillers, which bought Glengoyne in 2003. A trio of casks make up this fruity expression, specifically 48% was aged in first-fill bourbon barrels, with 17% in first-fill sherry casks and 35% in oak refill casks.

It’s a deliberate contrast to Chapter One, which was matured in first-fill European oak oloroso sherry casks as well as refill casks. This is a great example of how bourbon casks can make Glengoyne distillate shine and a fantastic demonstration of the distillery’s wood management policy.

Tomatin 1988

The club recently had the pleasure of tasting the Tomatin 1988, a single malt Scotch whisky that was aged for over 25 years in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in first-fill Tawny Port casks. This is a limited edition release of only 2500 bottles, and I must say, as the reviewer, it is one of the most exquisite whiskies I have ever tried.

The nose is rich and complex, with aromas of dried fruits, vanilla, honey, oak, and a hint of spice. The palate is smooth and creamy, with flavors of caramel, chocolate, orange, raisins, and nuts. The finish is long and sweet, with a touch of port wine and wood. The whisky has a beautiful amber color and a velvety texture.

The Tomatin 1988 is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and maturation. It is a whisky that deserves to be savored and appreciated. It is not cheap, but it is worth every penny. If you are looking for a special treat or a gift for a whisky lover, you can’t go wrong with this one. It is simply sublime.

Talisker Port Ruighe

The Talisker Port Ruighe is a non-age statement whisky that has been finished in port casks, giving it a reddish hue and a fruity twist. Here are my thoughts on this dram:

Nose: Rich and smoky, with notes of peat, salt, raisins, plums, and chocolate. A hint of spice and vanilla in the background.

Palate: Full-bodied and smooth, with a burst of peat smoke and saltiness, followed by sweet and sour flavours of port, berries, citrus, and dark chocolate. Some oak and pepper add complexity.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering smoke, salt, and fruit.

Overall, I really enjoyed this whisky. It has the classic Talisker character of peat and sea salt, but with an added layer of sweetness and richness from the port casks. It’s well balanced and complex, with a lot of flavour and depth. If you like smoky and fruity whiskies, you should give this one a try.

Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast

If you’re looking for a whisky that will blast your taste buds into orbit, look no further than Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast.

This is a peaty, smoky, sherry-finished whisky that is not for the faint of heart. It’s like drinking a bonfire with a splash of fruit juice. But don’t take my word for it, try it yourself and see if you can handle the explosion of flavors. Just be warned, this whisky is not for everyone. It’s for the smokeheads who love a challenge and a thrill. If you’re one of them, you’ll love this whisky. If not, well, you might want to stick to something more tame and boring.

Johnny Walker Island Green

If you’re a fan of Scotch whisky, you might have heard of Johnny Walker Island Green, a blended malt that showcases the flavors of four iconic Scottish islands. I had the chance to try this whisky recently and I was blown away by its complexity and richness. Here’s my review of this amazing dram.

The nose is fresh and fruity, with hints of apple, pear, lemon and honey. There’s also a subtle smokiness that comes from the peated malts of Caol Ila and Talisker. The aroma is inviting and enticing, making you want to take a sip right away.

The palate is smooth and creamy, with a burst of sweetness from the vanilla and caramel notes of Clynelish and Glenkinchie. The whisky is well-balanced, with a nice contrast between the sweet and the smoky elements. The peat is more pronounced on the palate than on the nose, but it’s not overpowering. It adds a layer of depth and character to the whisky, along with some spice and saltiness.

The finish is long and satisfying, with a lingering warmth and a touch of oak. The whisky leaves you with a pleasant aftertaste of smoke, fruit and honey. It’s a whisky that you can enjoy on its own or with some ice or water to open up the flavors.

Johnny Walker Island Green is a whisky that deserves to be savored and appreciated. It’s a whisky that showcases the diversity and quality of Scotch whisky, especially from the island regions. It’s a whisky that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves Scotch or wants to explore new expressions. Cheers!