BenRiach 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.70% 8 Reveals a rich profile by a succession of aromatic layers. Alcohol is perfectly tamed.

BenRiach 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00% 8 Another killer from Mr Walker's warehouse. Distillery of the year for me.

BenRiach 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00% 9 Soft, subtle and not overwooded. Just shades it over the 25yo this time.

BenRiach Authenticus Peated Single Malt 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 8 Another region-buster and a good one too.

BenRiach Curiositas 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Quite a nice dram but a bit edgy.

BenRiach Curiositas peated malt, 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 7 A Speyside? The most Islayish of all the Speysides I have ever tasted. Interesting as a freak even if wood toughens the whole profile a little.

BenRiach Dark Rum Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A cheery dram, opening up on the sunny side with definite rum colours on the nose. A dash of water sweetens the palate.

BenRiach Madeira wood finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 8 Balanced and with good weight. A good addition to the range.

BenRiach Over 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 Herbal in the dry way. Leaves a bitter grassy note in the finish. I'd rather have a cup of tea.

BenRiach Over 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 Muscular. Welcome in a blizzard but don't expect Mozart when you are likely to get Wagner.

BenRiach Pedro Ximinez Sherry Wood Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A cheery dram, opening up on the sunny side with the definite rum colours on the nose. A dash of water sweetens the palate.

Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 7 Appetising and remarkably refreshing.

Bunnahabhain 14 Years Old Port Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.00% 7 Front-loaded, clumsy and forced. Bunna's good enough on its own.

Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 I couldn't get past that taste of overfried bacon. This is a great malt distillery, and one of my favourites, so I am a little disappointed.

Bunnahabhain 1963
Single Malt - Scotland - 42.90% 8 The Islay origins become more obvious the more mature Bunnahabhain is. This one would be comfortable in distant Cathay or in Tokyo or even 42nd Street.

Bunnahabhain 1966
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.10% 7 The blood-orange hue suggests that this Bunnahabhain will in all senses be more colourful than the gentle 12 Years Old we normally encounter. Sun-dried whisky?

Bunnahabhain 1968 Auld Aquaintance, Hogmanay Edition
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.80% 8 A brilliantly sunny winter's day; a walk by the sea in late afternoon; a dram at dusk. Still Bunnahabhain, but so different.

Bunnahabhain 1968, The Family Silver Vintage Reserve
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 8 Because it is less aggressive than some of its neighbours, Bunnahabhain is often regarded as not being a proper Islay malt. This proves it can be.

Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 A bold spirit, tempered by well-timed maturation. A little flat to be truly great.

Bunnahabhain 35 Years Old Limited Edition
Single Malt - Scotland - 44.90% 8 You'd never guess this was 35. Great life, balance and bags of character. A beauty.

Glengoyne 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.20% 7 Lacks elegance and complexity. Oak dominates, with a bitter grip. Water does not help.

Glengoyne 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 A lovely, complex, sophisticated malt.

Glengoyne 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 Quite a complex character for its age. The palate is well-structured, just a little too woodframed.

Glengoyne 19 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.80% 7 A nice fresh feel. But alcohol is not tamed. Water cools it down but takes the zesty kick away.

Glengoyne 1972
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Amazingly fresh for such an oldie. Much prefer this style of Glengoyne to the sherried monsters which tend to drown the distillery character.