Allt-a-Bhainne 2005 / 15 Year Old / Distillery Reserve Collection Speyside Whisky

Samir Patel — Good but not a steal at £92

7/10

I picked this up expecting something special from the Distillery Reserve Collection and it's solid — creamy vanilla, dried apricot, a touch of oak. But at nearly a hundred quid I keep reaching for other Speysides on my shelf first. Would rate higher if it were £70.

Gianluca Ferro — Good but not a steal at £92

7/10

I picked this up expecting something special from the Distillery Reserve Collection and it's solid — creamy vanilla, dried apricot, a touch of oak. But at nearly a hundred quid I keep reaching for other Speysides on my shelf first. Would rate higher if it were £70.

Zoe Chen — Good but not a steal at £92

7/10

I picked this up expecting something special from the Distillery Reserve Collection and it's solid — creamy vanilla, dried apricot, a touch of oak. But at nearly a hundred quid I keep reaching for other Speysides on my shelf first. Would rate higher if it were £70.

Kai Oliveira — One of my favourite drams this year

9/10

Poured this neat and just sat with it for an hour. The nose is gorgeous — stewed pears, heather honey, a whiff of something floral. Palate is rich and oily at that cask strength, with butterscotch and gentle wood spice. Genuinely hard to put the glass down.

Tyler Bennet — One of my favourite drams this year

9/10

Poured this neat and just sat with it for an hour. The nose is gorgeous — stewed pears, heather honey, a whiff of something floral. Palate is rich and oily at that cask strength, with butterscotch and gentle wood spice. Genuinely hard to put the glass down.

Clara Johansson — One of my favourite drams this year

9/10

Poured this neat and just sat with it for an hour. The nose is gorgeous — stewed pears, heather honey, a whiff of something floral. Palate is rich and oily at that cask strength, with butterscotch and gentle wood spice. Genuinely hard to put the glass down.

Marco Andretti — Proper cask strength Speyside

8/10

At 58.8% this one doesn't mess around. Big honey and orchard fruit on the nose, then baking spices and a long malty finish once you add a few drops of water. Fifteen years has done right by this one — drinks well above its age statement.

Luna Chavez — Proper cask strength Speyside

8/10

At 58.8% this one doesn't mess around. Big honey and orchard fruit on the nose, then baking spices and a long malty finish once you add a few drops of water. Fifteen years has done right by this one — drinks well above its age statement.

Tariq Hassan — Proper cask strength Speyside

8/10

At 58.8% this one doesn't mess around. Big honey and orchard fruit on the nose, then baking spices and a long malty finish once you add a few drops of water. Fifteen years has done right by this one — drinks well above its age statement.

Olivia Park — Cask strength done right

8/10

I normally water down anything above 55% but this is so well balanced at 58.8 that I keep going back to it neat. Lovely mix of ripe fruit and gentle spice, with a warming finish that lingers. Fifteen years in the cask has smoothed out all the rough edges. Really enjoying this bottle.

Wei Zhang — Cask strength done right

8/10

I normally water down anything above 55% but this is so well balanced at 58.8 that I keep going back to it neat. Lovely mix of ripe fruit and gentle spice, with a warming finish that lingers. Fifteen years in the cask has smoothed out all the rough edges. Really enjoying this bottle.

Diana Cruz — Cask strength done right

8/10

I normally water down anything above 55% but this is so well balanced at 58.8 that I keep going back to it neat. Lovely mix of ripe fruit and gentle spice, with a warming finish that lingers. Fifteen years in the cask has smoothed out all the rough edges. Really enjoying this bottle.

Elena Vasquez — Decent sipper, nothing wild

7/10

Had this at a tasting night and it was pleasant enough. Classic Speyside profile — fruity, malty, a bit of toffee. The high ABV gives it some punch but I found the finish a touch hot even with water. Perfectly fine whisky, just didn't blow me away.

Helena Kosta — Decent sipper, nothing wild

7/10

Had this at a tasting night and it was pleasant enough. Classic Speyside profile — fruity, malty, a bit of toffee. The high ABV gives it some punch but I found the finish a touch hot even with water. Perfectly fine whisky, just didn't blow me away.

Oscar Delgado — Decent sipper, nothing wild

7/10

Had this at a tasting night and it was pleasant enough. Classic Speyside profile — fruity, malty, a bit of toffee. The high ABV gives it some punch but I found the finish a touch hot even with water. Perfectly fine whisky, just didn't blow me away.