Every issue of Whisky Magazine, our tasting duo Bradley Weir and Alwynne Gwilt try whiskies from around the world, sharing their tasting notes, opinions, and scores. Every whisky is blind tasted, meaning everything except the region, ABV, and style of the whisky remains a mystery. Instead of brand name, it's flavour that takes centre stage.
We're looking back at the five highest-scoring whiskies from Whisky Magazine issue 214.
Read on to discover our tasters' favourites, and visit our tastings pages to see all the tasting reviews from issue 214.
Links marked with * are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices correct at time of writing.
5th — Clydebuilt 2009 Bourbon Hogshead Single Cask Fettercairn Distillery
ABV: 56.3% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Highland
Combined taster score: 16.2
Bradley says… Major coconut vibes with the aromas! Pineapple note is outstanding. There’s room for a gentle wave of honey, grapefruit, and even sherbet lemon. Very tropical.
Alwynne says… Wafts of toffee fudge to begin. With water, the texture stays chewy, but the spice calms a little. Loved the texture here; it’s really mouthfilling.
4th — Loch Lomond Oloroso Sherry Cask
ABV: 40% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Highland
Combined taster score: 16.5
Bradley says… Raisins and sultanas are the predominant flavour. Also notes of toffee, baking spices, hazelnut. Rich and elegant.
Alwynne says… A touch floral on the nose. More fruit on the palate — cherries and bananas — with a lovely warm hay and buttery pastry note to follow. Charming.
3rd — The Whisky Exchange The Zodiac Series Pisces — Glenglassaugh 2015
ABV: 55.4% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Highland
Combined taster score: 16.5
Buy now: £87.95 | The Whisky Exchange*
Bradley says… fruity notes of pineapple, guava, and very subtle rhubarb sweets. Long finish with the orange citrus note in particular really sticking around. Refreshing!
Alwynne says… Velvety texture and really full — pear cake, maple syrup, roasted peaches, and almonds. A very satisfying whisky — hits a lot of the right notes and its concentration takes over the palate in a nice way.
2nd — The GlenAllachie Sinteis III
ABV: 57.4% | Style: Single Malt | Country: Scotland | Region: Speyside
Combined taster score: 16.5
Buy now: £69.95 | The Whisky Exchange*
Bradley says… Dried fruits — raisins and sultanas. Toffee, chestnuts, walnuts. A very rich flavour profile. A really enjoyable, complex dram.
Alwynne says… Big and sweet — more of that cakiness comes through. There’s some pecans and vanilla, alongside black pepper spice. A full and big Speyside whisky.
1st — House of Hazelwood The Silent Partner 47 Years Old
ABV: 46.7% | Style: Blended | Country: Scotland
Combined taster score: 16.7
Bradley says… Peaches, raisins, sultanas, apricot, plums. Tangy pineapple and a hint of coconut. A fantastic, complex whisky that has a really positive variety of flavour combinations that all work. Yum!
Alwynne says… Concentrated orange — freshly squeezed — then some brown sugar, caramelised bananas, and sea salt. A dark fruit note of blackberry jam. Enjoyable whisky that would be great to share with friends.
