Springbank 12 1996 Manzanilla

Thanks to xile_ for the sample. Springbank. If Macallan is what the average person buys as prestigious then Springbank is the whisky nerd version. The price is high, it’s only getting higher, and the quality is there. I walk in and someone has more than one Springbank, then they’ll be like “Why are you in my house” […]

St. Magdalene 33 1982 Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old / Linlithgow 25 1982 Murray McDavid Mission Gold

In the before times (which is now my favourite annoying inside joke we all have), for my birthday I did a few whisky related things: I’d go out to a pub with a good whisky selection, and I’d review any birth year whisky samples I had. I won’t bore you with the extreme details, however […]

Port Ellen 16 1980 Gordon & MacPhail Spirit of Scotland

Thanks to RaunchyJowls for the sample. There are some whiskies that people assume are going to be perfect. We’ve been spoiled, if you will. If you have been drinking back to the 90s, this happened with old Ardbeg. You got used to 70s Ardbeg, then the company ran out eventually. If you were buying in the early […]

Glentauchers 17 1998 Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength

One of the things I love about whisky (and a variety of my other hobbies) is that it can push you just a bit outside your comfort zone. I prefer to write about distilleries I’ve drank from a lot. Then I can kinda ramble. But it also means I have to try very hard when […]

Glenlivet 10 2006 Signatory Un-Chillfiltered Collection

Thanks to /u/bradbobaggin for sharing this sample with me. We’ve all had Glenlivet at some point. It’s really a turning point for whisky nerds. If you tried a standard release of Glenlivet (be it the old age stated, or the rum aged one from this summer, or a NAS release) you either decided it was inexpensive and […]

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2020

I’m always a year or more behind when it comes to Cairdeas releases. Not only are they not easy to get your hands on (as we’re starved for similar quality whiskies here in Canada), but I like to take my time with these bottles. That’s a lie I have too much to write, I am […]

Invergordon 31 1987 North Star

So I’m buying a bottle or two and splitting them with a buddy. Already reviewed the first one (check out Cragganmore Archives if you haven’t) and he asked if I was down to split Invergordon 31 1987 North Star. I can’t say how others decide to spend on their hobby. I am privileged enough to have […]

Balvenie Speyside 30 1989 Le Gus’t Selection XXIV

It’s no secret that I enjoy Balvenie. Given my predilection towards honey it’s a given. Which is odd, because Balvenie tends to not show up in IBs (which I mostly purchase), usually don’t have higher abv (which I tend towards) nor do I typically have the chance to have many Balvenies (as the special releases […]

Blue Hanger Berry Bros. & Rudd 6th Release / 9th Release

Thanks to ScotchGuy_TO for sharing the 6th Release. It makes sense for an independent bottler to make blends. You’re not going to just buy amazing casks. The people who buy from distilleries and sell to IBs probably package the very good casks with bad casks. Now you can have a cheaper line out there. But will it […]

Kavalan Solist ex-Oloroso Sherry Cask KavaFAN pick

Thanks to Forbiddenwaffle for pouring this sample for me. I’m still holding out hope that I find a Kavalan that beats out the best I’ve had. This isn’t something alone with Kavalan: Multiple distilleries, I’d argue all of them, have the top dram I’ve ever had and that’s a target. No one shows up to the Olympics […]