Loch Lomond is surely the Scottish distillery producing the widest variety of whiskies. Their whiskies fall into one of three ranges each with its own subtlely different brand. So Loch Lomond’s core range comes in a few options. There are three 12-year-olds and today we’re diving into arguably the most beloved - the peated Inchmoan 12-year-old.

This may well be the strangest bottle of whisky I’ve come across so far on my journey. The Singleton brand is owned by Diageo and is actually made up of whiskies from three different distilleries: Glen Ord, Glendullan and Dufftown - confusing already! We’re tasting the Dufftown version here which is extremely widely available in the UK but confusingly, Diageo’s own website (Malts.com) says it only exists at 43% - I can’t find it available at anything other than 40%. Not a straightforward start - let’s take a look at the whisky though.

Welcome, fellow Centurions, to our latest whisky exploration featuring the Glendronach 12 year old. While my encounters with Glendronach have been somewhat limited, it's undeniable that this distillery has garnered a cult-like following since its revival under the legendary Billy Walker nearly two decades ago. Through its tumultuous past, changing hands multiple times in the twentieth century, Glendronach finally found its footing under Walker's guidance, refocusing on aged statement single malts and stepping out of the shadows from its role in blends, most notably Teacher’s.

Greetings, fellow Centurions! This week, we embark on a journey through the flavourful charms of Tamdhu 12 Year Old whisky. Originating from a quaint yet resilient distillery established in 1896, Tamdhu has quietly forged its legacy before being embraced by Ian Macleod Distillers in 2011. Intriguingly, it rose from a period of closure by its former owners, emerging under new stewardship with a distinct bottle shape and presentation that stands out from the crowded marketplace of Speyside whiskies.

Glenlivet — a cornerstone of Scottish whisky, boasting a legacy that spans centuries and with a brand that stands as a beacon for Scotch around the globe. Established in 1824, it holds the distinction of being Scotland's oldest legal distillery, a testament to its enduring presence in the industry, surviving even the tumult of World War II. Its prominence in the whisky world is undeniable, with millions of litres produced every year, sharing its spotlight only with Glenfiddich, the other titan of the industry. Yet, for all its fame, there's an air of detachment, a departure from the traditional image of Scottish whisky steeped in heritage.

There's something enchanting about Fettercairn's 12 year old whisky that has captivated me for as long as I can remember. It's like being drawn to a treasure, akin to Gollum's obsession in Lord of the Rings, albeit in a more wholesome manner! And speaking of magic, the distillery's unusual emblem — an elegant unicorn — proudly emblazoned on the bottle, adds to its allure. It is said to represent purity and strength, which bodes well for the whisky…

Balvenie’s whiskies have long been heralded as the gateway to the enchanting world of single malt whisky, captivating enthusiasts with their rich flavours and impeccable craftsmanship. Earlier this year, we delved into the revered Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood, a staple in many whisky collections. Today, we embark on a journey to discover a unique variation of this beloved dram—the "Sweet Toast of American Oak." Despite its tongue-twisting name, this expression marks one of the first creations from the talented Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. Inspired by the desire to enhance Balvenie's naturally sweet whisky, McKechnie opted to finish it in virgin oak barrels sourced from Kentucky.

GlenAllachie emerges as a beacon of innovation among the new breed of distilleries, marrying forward-thinking approaches with decades of expertise. Acquired in 2017 by master distiller Billy Walker and his partners, GlenAllachie embarked on a transformative journey, transitioning from a producer primarily catering to blends to establishing its own distinguished core range of whiskies. At the heart of this evolution lies the GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old, a cornerstone expression that has propelled the distillery to newfound heights of success…

In the serene landscapes of Elgin, where childhood memories linger like whispers on the wind, lies the Glen Elgin distillery—a hidden gem in the heart of Speyside. Growing up in this quaint town, I often found solace in the tranquility of Millbuies Country Park, just a stone's throw away from this lesser-known distillery. Today, I invite you to join me on a journey down memory lane as we uncork a bottle of Glen Elgin 12 Year Old and rediscover the essence of home…

Welcome, whisky enthusiasts, to the heartland of the Scottish whisky industry—the realm of twelve-year-old whiskies. While legally, whisky must age for a minimum of three years, it's the twelve-year mark that truly embodies the pinnacle of maturity and flavour development. This age bracket represents a sweet spot where complexity meets affordability, making it a favourite among connoisseurs and novices alike…

Welcome, fellow Whisky Centurions, to another stop on my adventure through whiskies. Today, we're delving into the Glen Grant 12, a single malt that sits in the heart of the most competitive section of Scottish whiskies, 12 year old expressions. Most of these whiskies (and there are a lot!) are priced in the £30-£50 region, although this range is creeping up faster than I’d like at the moment. The Glen Grant 12 year old is towards the top end of this range at around £44 but certainly not the most expensive 12 year old out there. Let’s see if the whisky itself lets the expression shine in this crowded category…

In the realm of single malt Scotch whiskies, Glenkinchie 12 stands as a beacon of sophistication, capturing the essence of the Lowland style. This, Diageo-owned, distillery is based just outside Edinburgh and the whisky itself is distilled in some of Scotland’s largest stills giving it a lovely, light character. Diageo market this as an apperatif or pre-dinner dram but frankly I’d happily drink it any time!

The Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood gets its name from the, now commonly used, process of ‘wood finishing’. This technique was pioneered by one of Balvenie’s former Malt Master in 1980s and is something the distillery has been perfecting for a number of decades. They are, obviously, by no means the only distillery using this technique but as you’ll find out below, they may well be doing it better than the others…

For our next stop on this adventure through the world of whisky, we set our sights on Tomatin 12. A Highland single malt from a distillery that has spent much of its history providing whisky for blends. Only relatively recently (since around 2000) has the distillery switched some of its focus to growing its single malts such as this one…

I recently had the pleasure of savouring the Tobermory 12 year old expression (in fact it was a Christmas present to myself!). It is an enchanting Island single malt, from the Isle of Mull, that captivated my senses with its intricate layers and distinctive character…

Nestled along the banks of the River Dee in the picturesque Highlands, the Royal Lochnagar distillery holds the title of the smallest distillery (by production volume) in Diageo’s extensive portfolio. Situated just a stone’s throw away from Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the Royal Family, Royal Lochnagar has a rich heritage dating back to the 1840s. Its proximity to Balmoral made it the favoured whisky of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, earning the distillery its regal moniker…

The Cragganmore distillery is part of the huge Diageo group. It is a widely believed that most of the whisky they produce is used in some of Diageo’s blended whiskies, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Old Parr and White Horse to name a few, for the export market. However they do have some single malt expressions sold under the Cragganmore name, including this 12 year aged one…

Macallan is renowned for its commitment to craftsmanship, quality and the luxury market, has created a whisky delivering a tasting experience that reflects the brand’s commitment to its values. While Macallan whiskies are often hailed as icons in the Scottish whisky industry, I find myself grappling with a sense of conflict. For me whisky is raw, sturdy and accessible, qualities that seem somewhat absent in this particular dram…

Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey into the world of spirits, as I set out to explore and savor 100 different whiskies. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a spirited adventure filled with rich flavors, unique aromas, and the stories behind each bottle…

What better way to kick off this journey of rediscovery than by celebrating my everyday favourite? Since it replaced the 10 year old expression in 2020, Aberlour 12 year old has firmly established itself as one of the quintessential Speyside whiskies…