Aberlour is one of my favourite distilleries. It was where it all started for me; I fell in love with whisky following a tour of the quaint old distillery whilst on a road trip of Scotland many, many years ago. I love the bottle designs, the flavours, the distillery buildings themselves - I’m a fanboy. The most contemporary addition to the Aberlour core range is the Aberlour 14 which was added to the 12, 16 and 18 back in early 2021. I’m eager to find out how much I love it(!) and how it completes the family…

The last month of 2023 saw the release of this new, no-age-statement whisky from Glen Moray. The distillery is famed for its good value whisky available at very reasonable prices and this is no different - available (if you can find it) for around £30. The unique selling point of this expression is the ‘unusual’ way it is matured. The ‘Phoenix Rising’, a reference to the mythical bird that rises from the ashes, is a nod to the fact that the whisky is finished in new, heavily-charred oak barrels with the intention of adding spice to the classic Glen Moray whisky; let’s find out if it delivers…

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.

In our last review, we delved into the world of whisky with the somewhat underwhelming Glenlivet 12 year old. Today, we venture just a stone's throw away from Glenlivet to explore another distillery with a shorter history but a distinctive identity: Tomintoul. Established in 1964, Tomintoul has made its mark in Speyside as "the gentle dram." Interestingly, despite having no affiliation with Glenlivet, Tomintoul upholds the convention of incorporating "Glenlivet" in its name — a practice dating back to the 1860s when rival distilleries such as Macallan, Aberlour, Glen Grant and many more claimed the term had become synonymous with the style of whisky from the area. But does the Tomintoul 14 bare any resemblance to The Glenlivet 12? Let’s find out…

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.

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.

Nestled in the heart of Speyside, amidst a landscape dominated by renowned distilleries, lies the lesser-known gem of Craigellachie. Surrounded by household names like Glenfiddich and Aberlour, Craigellachie quietly produces a substantial 4 million litres of spirit annually. While most of this liquid finds its way into Dewar’s blends, a precious portion is set aside for their single malt range, of which the 13-year-old expression is the youngest. Embracing an ethos described as "uncompromising, stubborn, and slightly eccentric," Craigellachie sets itself apart with the bold decision to release whiskies aged only in prime numbers — a unique approach that piques curiosity. Let's delve into the depths of this intriguing dram and see if it lives up to its reputation…

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, 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…

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…

All of Scotland’s 142* distilleries are organised into one of five traditional whisky producing regions - Highlands, Speyside, Islay, Lowlands and Campbeltown. But what do these regions mean and are they useful? The regions group all of Scotlands distilleries by geography and historically meant that flavour profiles could be expected to be similar within each region due to similar processes and use of local barley. Let’s find out more…

For those familiar with my whisky journey, you’ll know that the Aberlour distillery holds a special place in my heart. It was here that my love affair with whisky began, and the diverse selection of their expressions continues to captivate my palate to this day. Among their offerings is the Casg Annamh series, a collection with each batch uniquely branded, aptly named 'Rare Cask' in Gaelic. Straying from the convention of age statements, Casg Annamh is meticulously crafted in limited quantities, deriving its richness from a medley of Oloroso Sherry casks

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…

Welcome, Whisky Centurions, to a journey into the world of Benriach, where tradition meets innovation in a harmonious blend known as The Original Ten. This single malt expression encapsulates the essence of Speyside craftsmanship, offering a tantalising experience for the seasoned aficionados as well as newcomers…

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…