I'm pretty new to scotch and haven't mastered the art of intricate dissection yet but I also hadn't seen any reviews for this expression yet so figured I'd at least let anyone curious about the bottle know that it's pretty damn good 👍

Info: US only special release, from what I could tell

Age: 15 years

ABV: 55.3% (110.6 proof)

Maturation details: European Oak finished in ex-Oloroso & Palo Cortado sherry casks.

Rich nose. Raisin and brown sugar. Hint of citrus. Fairly prominent salt note when you get your nose in there. (Sea spray, if you're feeling bougie 😉) Extremely inviting on the nose...

And I'm pleased to report that all of the above continues without missing a beat into (onto?🤔) the palate. Such a warm, full bodied mouth feel. Coming from the world of bourbon/rye, some malt whisk(e)y I've tried have come across before as a bit "thin" and that's one reason why I was willing to pony up a bit to experience cask strength with this one... and it did not disappoint.

It's rich and velvety-smooth. Mouth coating. Taste= Vanilla, raisins. Candied and guey figs out of the oven, with an orange zest coating. It's warming and decadent.

This sticks the landing, thankfully, too ...

The finish is long, with cinnamon, brown sugar, and peppercorn pleasantly crackling along the roof of my mouth. It still has that malt note, don't get me wrong, but otherwise it reminds me of the finish on Old Overholt 11 year cask strength rye (if you have had it, you'll know what I mean), which is to say, I really enjoy it.

All in all this has really exceeded my expectations... Given the price, I was extremely nervous driving home that I'd be disappointed and I'm thrilled to say that it's my favorite bottle of Scotch yet. I am not saying that the price isn't an issue, and certainly wish it was at 100 not 150, but having tasted it, I'm also not mad or remotely let down by that either.

I don't feel experienced enough to give it a numerical rating but I will just conclude that I am really enjoying every sip, and keep going back for more. Thanks for reading, cheers!

So I am really getting into independent bottlers like Cadenheads, Signatory, Adelphi, etc. But how do you know what you are buying? Some shops near me have some open bottles but a lot of times there are so few bottles produced that I have no way of trying before buying. Are you guys just buying them with the information on the label/good experiences with previous bottles from the distillery/bottler?

I bought some but am curious what you guys think

Has anyone out there had this before? Had never heard of it before today. I’m no good at reviews, but really enjoying this one. Kind of a honey taste? Definitely a highlander

Hi All,

As my bottle is nearing its end, I thought it would be nice to commemorate this limited edition Arran. This was a pre-covid bottling in a small quantity, exclusively for the Hungarian market, and for that it was finished in Tokaji wine casks, which is a sweet, dessert wine from Hungary. I think I bought it for ~50€, which seems funny after just 5-6 years.

The specs: - Non-chill filtered, Natural color - 48%

Color: Light mahogany

Nose: Quite heavy and complex on the nose. It starts with mineraly, salty notes, which I for some reason usually get from the Tokaji casks. Under the heavier aromas there are the crispy clean, lighter notes typical for Arran, with green apple and some bourbon spices - I guess most of its time was spent in bourbon barrels. With some water the soft and clean notes are stronger, accompanied by floral aromas. Nice one.

Palate: Oh boy. Very introverted whisky. It is complex and full bodied but it doesn’t want to open up for you. Light tannins, minerals and sweet spices. With water maltiness comes forward, with nutmeg and something perfumy. Very complex, but asynchronous.

Finish: Biscuits, caramel and dried apple chips.

I’m a bit sad about this one, because somehow the casks and the distillate character just don’t seem to go well together, even though separately they have the potential for something good. The nose is great, the taste is subpar, all over the place. A weak 6/10 for me.

Hello Whisky lovers! How do you’ll like your liquid? Neat with a dash of water or over ice? And, is there a particular type of glass preferred?

With the tariffs incoming, I'm looking for a last second stock up on stuff thats already on shelves.

What are some can't miss drams that I should keep an eye out for?

Currently have:

Glenmorangie Signet, Ice Cream, Cake, and Tokyo

 Lagavulin 16

Glenfiddich 14

Glenlivit 14

Aberlour A'bunadh

Royal Lochnagar 12

Hi all, My father in law was given this bottle as a gift many years ago and didn’t think of it anything. Whilst having a drink with him and looking through his collection of bottles (he has a mix of different spirits) I have found this, only caught my eye because of the Glenfiddich name on it.

I know it’s technically not scotch but given that it was made from one I wanted to know if anyone has tried this liqueur? And if it’s any good?

Hey Scotch lovers,

I got gifted this old bottle from a friend’s dad who received it as a gift when he used to work a big corporate job 20 years ago. Unopened!

Not sure how old it is/what it’s worth?

Hey all! I have a group of four golf guys wanting to do a one day (have car/driver for 10 hrs total) trip to a couple of distillaries. Early June. I am helping them plan a trip will start and end in St. Andrews. Likely need a stop for food.

I am struggling to pick 2 great experiences for them. I have looked at Dewar’s Aberfeldy, Dalwhinnie, Blair Atholl, and Glenturret as options. Obviously, Kingsbarns is close the opposite way.

Dalwhinnie is in their quiet period, so no tours of the distillery. Is it still worth it?

Other options not explored that may be best? Speyside seems like it will eat up too much time for them to do more than one.

If you could do two £40-100 tours, what would you do?

Does anyone know or remember the last time we had tarrifs on Scotch in the US if that affects orders from TWW? I only ask because anyone that has ordered from them before knows they are, uh ... should we say, loosey goosey? ... with the rules and their "antique glass". I'd have to imagine they would still be affected somehow by the upcoming 10%?

I am taking about direct fees, outside of the general inflation I'm sure this nonsense will cause.

I may have to start getting back until Bourbons otherwise 😬 (which I suppose is the point of this)

What makes this a "value whisky"? It was voted best value whisky for the OSWAs very recently but I'm not seeing it for under $100.

Hey all, I'm visiting Islay for the feis Ile again. The last time I went to lagavulin day, I camped outside the distillery with a few other people the night before, anyone know if this is still a done thing or have they clamped down on it?

Just got into Scotch (couple months) when the brainless wonder started with these tarrifs. Grabbed up over the past two weeks the following bottles and was hoping to get some more before tarrifs really hit. I am wanting to have some bottle that represents the majority of flavor profiles of scotch to work my way through while we wait for the circus to end. What major gaps? I have peat covered haha

Highland Park 12

Ardbeg An Oa

Ardbeg 10

Lagavulin 8

Laphroaig 10

Bowmore 12

Talisker 10

Isle of Harris Hearach

Isle of Harris Hearach Oloroso Cask

Of late i've found myself spending more and more time with the workhorse distilleries of big blending houses. By this i mean the distilleries which lack any core range releases (f&f is a bit of halfway house) and for which you need to try an independent bottler to get some.

The likes of Glentauchers, Benrinnes, Teaninich and Blair Athol. While these are popular with whisky nerds they obviously are largely unknown to the general public. That public of course would likely recognise the blends they go into - JW for example.

I'm suspect this is a phase that many whisky fans go through. If so I was wondering which Workhorse Distilleries have stuck with you, and which ones do you think should be more loved than they are?

For example i've never had a bad Glentauchers. But if I asked whisky fans to name their top 10 distilleries, i doubt it would make many of them. Indeed it doesn't even get into the Dramface Top 40!

I watched lately a video from Ralfy where he said that we should try an older (I remember ’80s was mentioned) expression of Johnnie Walker Red, because it was exponentially better than the current one, with more depth and quality thanks to the substantially higher malt content. I found a late ‘80s-early ’90s mini at an auction for 1,5€, so it was just a matter of getting a contemporary Johnnie to execute this little experiment - so I did just that.

I didn’t really took the tasting notes, but the experience was quite eye-opening. We are looking at two totally different whiskies here: - The old one is on par with modern good quality indie blends, like a cheaper Douglas Laing or Whyte&Mackay. It has a balanced malty, fruity character that is a great sipper, easily understood, but nice taste. - The current one however, oh boy. Let’s just say I was fortunate enough that I hadn’t had it in the last 10 years. It was the first whisky I poured out in a very long time. Offensive young grain flavors, total lack of balance, and any promising traits. Avoid it.

My main takeaways were that 1) Ralfy knows what he is talking about, 2) if not everything but Johnnie Walker was definitely way better in the old days.