Rare Malts Caol Ila 1977, 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.30% 8 A wonderful aperitif. Who would have thought of a Scotch to precede Greek food?

Lombard Springbank 1991
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00% 8 Jumps and bites. This is the young Springbank, not yet the mature sophisticate.

Miyagikyo Single Cask Sendai, 1990
Single Malt - Japan - 60.60% 7 The orangey colour suggests some sherry. Nikka's Sendai distillery has in this instance produced a nuttier, maltier style of whisky than Yoichi.

Killyloch 1967
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 7 Astonishingly fresh and youthful. Not complex, but an enjoyable drink. A lamented Lowlander.

Ardbeg 6 Years Old, Committee Bottling
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.90% 8 I like young Islays, but this hyperactive whisky is just too frisky. The flavours need time to meld. Even with those shortcomings, it is an Ardbeg…

Blue Hanger 25 Years Old, Second Release
Blended - Scotland - 45.60% 8 The nose suggests a winter warmer, but the palate performs as a summer refresher.

Springbank 1975 Limburg Whisky Fair
Single Malt - Scotland - 49.20% 8 Astonishingly citric.

Ichiro's Malt 1988 King of Diamonds
Single Malt - Japan - 56.00% 8 Water undoubtedly tames the alcohol but alters the freshness and enticing natural sharpness of that bold whisky.

Dewar Rattray The Macallan 16 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 51.30% 7 Puts me in mind of an aged Tequila, with a big splash of lime.

Old & Rare Platinum The Macallan, 28 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 48.20% 8 Have this without water. Hinting at complexity.

Old Masters Girvan 16 Years Old
Single Grain - Scotland - 58.00% 7 Unrefined wood spoils the aromatic display. It does not leave a clean feel. A rather grumpy character.

The Whisky Exchange Bunnahabhain 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A welcome addition.

Mackmyra Preludium 04
Single Malt - Sweden - 53.30% 6 If you want to build a new distillery you have to be willing to take the financial hit of waiting until the whisky is ready.

Caol Ila 1984 23 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.00% 7 Awake up dram. Fresh,vibrant,wide open on the sea horizon. Bring bacon and eggs.

Old Masters Glenturret 14 Years Old
- Scotland - 56.90% 7 Absolutely no cask interaction, making this the polar opposite of the last quartet. In a way this is a very instructive tasting.

Ardbeg Rennaissance
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.90% 8 Everything here has been reduced to elemental levels. A nice circle completed.

Hazelburn CV
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Great balance and liveliness.

Heaven Hill Trybox Series New Make
Blended - U.S.A. - 62.50% Interesting, but why is it being bottled? I've not marked it because there is no frame of reference.

Lion's Pride Dark Oat
Oat - U.S.A. - 40.00% 6 This is weird.

Glenfarclas The Family Cask Release 3 1987 Cask 3826 Refill Sherry Butt 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.20% 8 Mature and elegant.

Wemyss Vintage Malts Lemon Grove 1989 (Cragganmore)
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A cool summer dessert that acts as an ideal wake-me-up.

Wemyss Vintage Malts Smoked Cheese 1996 13 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Good but lacks mid-palate weight.

Ardbeg Galileo
Single Malt - Scotland - 49.00% 8 Perfect balance. Hidden complexity.

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00% 8 Discreet, subtle and pure with great balance for one so young - and marked accordingly.

Bruichladdich The Organic
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Good to have samples from The Laddie again and showing it is clearly in fine form.