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Haruki Sato on Kanosuke Hioki Pot Still Japanese Single Grain Whisky

6/10

Nice but not essential

I tried this at a tasting event and thought it was pleasant enough. Gentle sweetness, some vanilla and light citrus, clean finish. My issue is it doesn't really stand out — for a pot still grain at cask strength-adjacent ABV I wanted more character. It's fine whisky, just not one that made me reach for my wallet afterward.

Natasha Volkov on Two Brewers Yukon PX Finish Single Malt / Release 41 Canadian Whisky

9/10

Hidden gem from Canada

Two Brewers is doing something really special up in the Yukon and Release 41 might be their best yet. The PX cask gives it this gorgeous layer of stewed plum and brown sugar over the malty base. I keep reaching for this bottle over much more expensive drams on my shelf. Genuinely impressive.

Connor McBride on Tomintoul 2008 / 15 Year Old / Tawny Port Pipe Finish Speyside Whisky

9/10

Port finish really delivers

Picked this up on a whim and I'm glad I did. The tawny port pipe finish gives it this gorgeous berry and dark chocolate thing on the palate. At 46% it's got enough punch without being harsh — I drink it neat and it's silky smooth for a 15 year old.

Petra Novak on Lagavulin 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

9/10

Converted me to Islay

I used to think peated whisky wasn't for me until someone handed me a glass of this. The smoke is bold but there's this lovely lemon and honey sweetness that balances everything out. I drink it neat after dinner and it's become a ritual. Already on my second bottle.

Alex Ramos on Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries (46.5%) Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

8/10

Great introduction to Japanese whisky

Bought this as my first proper Japanese whisky and I'm impressed. There's a real elegance to it — soft fruit, a little floral quality on the nose, and the palate has this lovely biscuity maltiness with a wisp of smoke. Had it on the rocks on a warm evening and it was perfect. The 46.5% holds up well with ice too.

Camila Ortiz on Langatun 2016 / 6 Year Old / Monbazillac Cask Finish Swiss Whisky

7/10

Solid sipper, nothing wild

Had this neat over a couple of evenings. Pleasant enough — warm honey, a bit of vanilla, some grape sweetness from the cask finish. It's well made and smooth for its ABV but at 6 years old it still feels like it could have used a bit more time in that Monbazillac cask to really develop. Decent, not a rebuy at this price though.

Hannah Brooks on Glen Keith 1991 / 30 Year Old / Secret Speyside Speyside Whisky

10/10

The best thing I've tasted this year

My whisky club split a bottle and I'm genuinely gutted I can't afford my own. Waves of tropical fruit and marzipan on the nose, then it shifts to dark toffee and gentle smoke on the palate. Thirty years of maturation done right. I've been chasing this flavour profile for years and this nails it perfectly.

Elena Morozova on Crown Royal Single Malt Canadian Single Malt Whisky

8/10

Surprised me in the best way

Grabbed this on a whim because I love Crown Royal's blends and wanted to see what they could do with a single malt. The 45% is a sweet spot — enough punch to carry the caramel and dried apricot flavours without any harsh burn. Really well balanced pour, neat or with a splash of water.

Tyler Bennet on Edradour 2011 / 13 Year Old / Marsala Finish /Signatory for The Whisky Exchange Highland Whisky

7/10

Good but not quite worth the ask

I like what the Marsala cask brings here — raisins, stewed plums, a touch of nuttiness. But at £95 for a relatively unknown Edradour vintage I expected a bit more complexity on the finish. It fades quicker than I'd hoped. Decent dram, just not a rebuy for me.

Olivia Park on Basil Hayden Toast Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

8/10

Great on the rocks

This one really opens up with a single ice cube. You get this lovely sweet toast and honey thing going on, almost like French toast with maple syrup. Smooth finish that doesn't overstay its welcome. I'd buy it again.

Elena Morozova on Bladnoch The Spirit / Dragon Series Iteration II Lowland Whisky

7/10

Pleasant but plays it safe

Nose is lovely — fresh pear, light honey, a bit of malt. The taste is smooth and easy drinking at 48.3% which is impressive. My only gripe is it doesn't really go anywhere unexpected. If you like classic Lowland character done well this will suit you, but don't expect fireworks.

Oscar Delgado on Benrinnes 2011 / 14 Year Old / Cask 305258 / Adelphi Speyside Whisky

9/10

Punches well above its price

For under £92 this is genuinely impressive single cask Speyside. Big sherried fruit on the nose — stewed plums, orange peel — then it opens up with honey and a dry spice finish. At 56.2% it handles water beautifully, just a few drops and it blooms. Adelphi have picked a cracker here.

Clara Johansson on Copperworks Cask 332 Single Malt Whisky American Single Malt Whiskey

8/10

Proper cask strength punch

At nearly 60% ABV this one doesn't mess around. I get big malty cereal notes up front with dried apricot and a touch of baking spice that lingers. Added a few drops of water and it really opened up into something lovely. For an American single malt at this price point, I think it's a solid buy.

Oscar Delgado on Blackwater Oaty McOatface Small Batch Pot Still

8/10

Interesting and well-made

Picked this up on a whim because of the name and I'm glad I did. There's a lovely biscuity, cereal quality that I assume comes from the oat mash bill. At £93 it's not cheap but it drinks like something more expensive. Really enjoyed it neat after dinner.

Helena Kosta on Buchanan's Master Blended Scotch Whisky

8/10

A proper evening dram

Been working through this bottle over the past month, always neat. There's a lovely warmth to it — biscuity malt, soft orchard fruit, a whisper of peat underneath. The 15-year age statement gives it a maturity that cheaper Buchanan's expressions just don't have. Not life-changing, but genuinely enjoyable every time I pour one.

Jorge Castillo on Ben Holladay Wheated Bourbon 2017 Rick House Proof

7/10

Solid wheated bourbon, not a stunner

Tried this neat after letting it breathe for a while. The wheated mashbill gives it a softer entry than you'd expect at 59.9%, with honey and vanilla up front. Finish is a touch short for the price though. Good, not great.

Clara Johansson on Blair Athol 10 Year Old / Bloody Sergeant / Household Series / Macbeth Act One Highland Whisky

7/10

Good whisky, tough price point

Decent Highland malt with plenty of honey, a bit of dark chocolate, and some gentle oak. The 51.8% ABV gives it a nice warmth without being aggressive. My only gripe is the price — there's stiff competition around the £95 mark and some of those bottles have more age on them.

Daniel Torres on Blended Malt 17 Year Old / Notable Age Statements Blended Whisky

8/10

Great sipper for cold evenings

Grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 53% it's got proper weight to it — big sherry notes, walnuts, a touch of smoke lurking underneath. My wife even liked it and she normally won't touch anything over 46%. The age shows in how smooth it is despite the strength. Would happily buy another bottle.

Natasha Volkov on Longmorn 2009 / 16 Year Old / Barbadillo Oloroso Sherry / Gleann Mor Rare Find Speyside Whisky

8/10

A proper after-dinner whisky

Poured this for a few friends after a big meal and everyone was impressed. It's got that dessert-wine sweetness from the oloroso cask balanced with enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. One mate who normally only drinks bourbon asked for a second pour, which says it all really.

Erik Strom on Dallas Dhu Millennium 1974 / 25 Year Old Speyside Whisky

9/10

A proper time capsule

Picked this up at auction after years of hunting. The nose is all dried fruits, old leather, and this gorgeous beeswax quality that only comes with real age. At 43% it's gentle enough to sip neat without any water, and the finish just lingers forever. Worth every penny if you can find one.

Top Contributors

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